#396 The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son Part 3
Here is yet another example of this keeping power exercised with the intention of creating intimate unity between us as Brethren. John 17:11, 12
He guards and protects us from despair and discouragement when we fail.
Simon Peter could not let go of the statement that Jesus was going somewhere they could not follow. The very thought made him restless and sad. “Lord, where are you going?”
“Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
“Why can’t I follow you now?” Peter asked with a hint of indignation, disregarding the possibility brought up earlier in the Passover supper that his own unfaithfulness could betray his lord. “I will lay down my life for you,” he claimed adamantly.
“Simon, Simon,” Jesus responded in a quiet voice, addressing Peter by his old name which was meant to remind him of his vulnerability. “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter’s reply was obstinate. “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
“Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, Peter, before the rooster crows today you will deny three times that you know me. Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” John 13:36-38
He guards and protects us from the discouragement that tends to isolate us from one another.
After Peter denied his Master and dear friend, “he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75
Directly following Jesus prophecy regarding Peter’s denial and his restoration and growth from this experience he speaks an amazing promise of comfort.
“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3
This assures us that just as with Peter, he knows our weaknesses and our vulnerability and he knows how to restore us when we fall. His desire is that we take the lesson from our falling short, better equipped to strengthen each other. He sees our tenacity to please him, and so we are all offered this promise that despite our weaknesses he loves us and wants us to be with him in eternity. What a blessing that we share similar human weaknesses and we share the same Divine Promises, the commitment of the Love of God in Christ Jesus.
Here is yet another example of this keeping power exercised with the intention of creating intimate unity between us as Brethren. John 17:11, 12
He guards and protects us from despair and discouragement when we fail.
Simon Peter could not let go of the statement that Jesus was going somewhere they could not follow. The very thought made him restless and sad. “Lord, where are you going?”
“Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
“Why can’t I follow you now?” Peter asked with a hint of indignation, disregarding the possibility brought up earlier in the Passover supper that his own unfaithfulness could betray his lord. “I will lay down my life for you,” he claimed adamantly.
“Simon, Simon,” Jesus responded in a quiet voice, addressing Peter by his old name which was meant to remind him of his vulnerability. “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter’s reply was obstinate. “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
“Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, Peter, before the rooster crows today you will deny three times that you know me. Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” John 13:36-38
He guards and protects us from the discouragement that tends to isolate us from one another.
After Peter denied his Master and dear friend, “he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75
Directly following Jesus prophecy regarding Peter’s denial and his restoration and growth from this experience he speaks an amazing promise of comfort.
“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3
This assures us that just as with Peter, he knows our weaknesses and our vulnerability and he knows how to restore us when we fall. His desire is that we take the lesson from our falling short, better equipped to strengthen each other. He sees our tenacity to please him, and so we are all offered this promise that despite our weaknesses he loves us and wants us to be with him in eternity. What a blessing that we share similar human weaknesses and we share the same Divine Promises, the commitment of the Love of God in Christ Jesus.
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