How can it be that we have bought into a theology that says we are better than others.
That is just what a teaching that says its alright to hold back trust after sin says. It says I didn’t do that and you did so I have a point to stand on. A right or reason to not restore the relationship completely. Be angry if you want, but we do this because why? how?
I’ll tell you how, we think we are good. Now, you say, Rob I don’t think I’m good, Jesus makes me good. As Paul Simon said in his 50 ways to leave your lover,” The problem is all inside your head”. We don’t want this man of sin revealed in us. In our head, our Golgotha, place of the skull, where our little mush of brain matter resides, Pride comes before a fall, be careful how you forgive. Do it like Jesus. Not like me, not for me, but for you.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet
will not I.
30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day,
even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36And he said, Abba, Father, all things
are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly
is ready, but the flesh
is weak.
39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take
yourrest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
Peter Denies Jesus
66And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is
one of them.
70And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art
one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth
thereto.
71But he began to curse and to swear,
saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
A popular teaching among Christians goes like this:
I forgive them, but I can’t forget.
I forgive them but I can’t trust them.
Just like Peter and all the disciples we have denied Christ, even after he saved us and taught us and came to live in us.
I think about Peter who was given the Keys :
Matthew 16:19 Context
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Now this man who cursed the idea that he was one of Christs when he was restored still was the one. Forgiveness complete!
This is one of those hard teachings, many walk away over. Don’t let that be you, or me.
God gave everything to His Son, and Jesus gave everything to us, us who even after our calling and salvation find that sin in our flesh. But we have not had His “all things” removed. A real complete forgiveness requires all forgiveness, all restoration. Just me talkin’. About God talkin’.