Get Real (It Starts With Getting Into The Word)

About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”  But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. [Luke 22.59-62]

I guess only Luke's account of Peter's denial of Jesus records that Jesus turned and looked at him. Whether this was actually the case, or whether Peter saw it in his mind is insignificant - the result is one and the same: total guilt and disgust with his actions.

But, if we can accept it, Peter's realization of his denial of Jesus was a good thing. why do I know this? Because it broke Peter. It brought him to bitter weeping - uncontrollable crying because he finally got real.

That is what we all need - to get real with ourselves. But that will not come unless we first learn God's Word. Remember, it was Jesus' prediction (God's Word) of Peter's denial that Peter remembered that brought on the tears. So, we too are fortunate when we finally think of God's Word, no matter what we thought when we first heard it, and see the reality of it as it applies to our life.

It will bring tears. I think there can really be no other response. When we see God's Word as it applies to us - when we finally allow His Word to sink in - His goodness and insight to shine on our lives - it will break us.

I have experienced this before - a couple times - maybe three. Oh, it was bitter - but the outcome was sweet.

I am not at all promoting emotionalism. But what I am very much suggesting we all need is a real encounter with Jesus. When that encounter happens, all we can "feel" is at once grossly insufficient, but then overwhelmingly blessed that He called and chose us anyway. It is called "change." When we have such encounters with Jesus, we will be transformed.

We all need to get real with Jesus. It will probably hurt at first, but the end result will be peace and relationship. The more we study the Word of God, the more we avail ourselves to the move of His Holy Spirit upon our lives to bring about this change.

Father, thank You for the account of Peter's denial of Jesus. It is a painful thing to witness, but the powerful effect on Peter's life was undeniable.