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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We have been reading of Jesus Christ being betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane following a time of intense prayer. Sometimes painful experiences can result following a time of real prayer. We have to come to terms with that possibility because there is an enemy of God who detests our fellowshipping and communing with the Father through Jesus Christ the Son.
Jesus is led away, by some 200 soldiers and leaders of the religious establishment.
We are studying in Luke Chapter 22.
Peter follows, but keeping a safe distance. That is always a dangerous place to be; trying to keep your distance from Jesus. Many do this. They come so far and then they seek to keep Jesus Christ at arms length.
Peter then denies Jesus three times. He sits with the wrong company and is silent when he should have been testifying and speaking out. He is engaged in conversation when it would have been wiser to be quiet, and finally when he realises what he has done he leaves the courtyard, and wept bitterly. These are strong emotional words.
That loving look from Jesus shattered Peter's composure. They eyeballed each other. A number of years ago I climbed over the early excavations of that courtyard and looked towards the cell windows at Caiaphas’s house. It is interesting to check out what can be checked out in the Bible and one finds it to be accurate and true.
But remember, even though Peter appeared to have made such a mess of things, he rises to lead that young Church, and 30 years later he is still in the front line, writing part of the Word of God.
Peter is mentioned frequently in these verses. Peter is sent to prepare the Passover Meal. Peter is told he is going to be sifted and put through the mill. Peter is told by Jesus that he is going to have a ministry when he is converted, a ministry of strengthening his brothers. Peter reveals something his self-assurance and bravado. Peter is told how he will deny Jesus. Peter fell asleep when he should have been praying. Peter cuts off the ear of the servant of the High Priest. Peter follows at a distance, sits down where he should never have been sitting and denies Jesus, and goes out and weeps his heart out.
The risen and living Lord Jesus Christ meets Peter on resurrection day while he is working out the implication of there being no crucified Christ in the tomb, and later by the Lake of Galilee Peter is given three opportunities to put right these three denials.
This passage is so true to life and the possibility of mistakes being forgiven gives encouragement and hope.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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