In John 18, some interesting things happen that set the stage for several significant events including one of my favorite moments in the Bible…the Reinstatement of Peter in Chapter 21.
What strikes me is that, in just one chapter [ref. John 18], Peter moves from aggressive defender to cowardly betrayer. It is also in this chapter that Peter begins a process of learning in three’s. He betrays Jesus 3 times here. In a few chapters, he will affirm his love for Jesus 3 times, and he will learn of God’s plan to take the Gospel to the Gentiles through yet another set of 3. [Acts 10]
It seems like Peter needed to hear things 3 times before he learned what God wanted him to know. I wonder if his name Peter, aka Cephas, which means “rock”, had any connection to his learning style.
If so, we all probably need to be named after rocks, too. Just kidding. Although. I, for one, feel like I am on something more like a “3 dozen plan.” 😉
Actually, I wonder something else, too. How many times does God have to say, show or teach you something for you to listen?
Yet, in verse 37, Jesus says, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Do you listen to God the first time? Take time today to pray and ask God to help you listen to Him the first time.
Lord Jesus – In 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, You say that Your eyes and ears will be attentive to what we say when we humble ourselves, turn from wickedness and pray. I continue to ask You to do that, but I also ask that You would allow our eyes and ears to be attentive to You. May we hear You clearly as we continue to chase hard after You. Help us listen to You the first time. Amen.
October 30, 2014
I’m thankful that our Heavenly Father has provided his word…. chalk full of folks as faulty as me.
David, Abraham, Peter, Paul, and Mary (not the group), all were disobedient at times. All were uncertain at times, but through it all they trusted in God, learning (in time), that His ways are higher than ours.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is buoyed by the fact that all the greats of scripture apart from Christ, we’re just like us…. Struggling with life…..
They understood as Paul said, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Strive to get it right the first time, but I’m pretty sure God filled the Bible with the weakness of others to show us our strength is in Him alone!
We don’t have to do it on our own….. In fact we can’t….. And that is Good News!
October 30, 2014
Thanks for this reminder Shawn. I know that I can be pretty hard (rock) headed and it often takes several times for something to get through my thick noggin!
November 24, 2014
I hear ya, brother.
October 31, 2014
Great prayer Shawn, thanks. I relate to Peter and your comment on the 3 doz. plan too! Thank goodness He is such patient Father. I sometimes ponder what miracles I missed by my delayed response, or who I missed. It just feels better to do it the first time.