A Lesson From Corona
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Introduction
Introduction
Prize in the cereal box
America got shook up and we learned some things. / we weren’t ready / your life can be snatched from you in second / don’t take the practical things in life for granted /
Apathy: lack of interest or concern
Self Interest
Peter Declares His Devotion
Peter Declares His Devotion
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
ready: prepared
He had mistaken emotion for character
Luke: An Introduction and Commentary 6. Prophecy of Peter’s Denials (22:31–34)
Peter realizes neither the seriousness of the position nor his own weakness. Brashly he declares his readiness to die for Jesus if need be. But Jesus knew his disciple better than Peter knew himself. This
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:36–38
I will lay down my life for You, he affirmed. But Peter did not know himself as well as he thought, nor did he know the satanic power at work against him (cf. Luke 22:31–32).
Life Application:
We’ve made declarations without (preparation) realizing the seriousness of what we were saying. Without realizing what it would really take to fulfill that commitment.
We didn’t know ourselves as well as we thought. But how do we find out about ourselves? Through unexpected adversity.
Peter Denied His Lord
Peter Denied His Lord
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Christ being arrested was Peter’s Pandemic, his corona
It was unexpected
It was something he couldn’t control
and it revealed the true condition of his heart.
Life Application:
Like this unfinished room we realize that there is work to do. This down time has made us aware that we are a work in progress.
See there was a virus that Peter was not aware of until the unexpected arrest of Jesus shook him up… self centeredness
A self-centered person is excessively concerned with himself and his own needs. He's selfish. ... Self-centered people tend to ignore the needs of others and only do what's best for them.
Self centeredness is another virus that can shut everything down spiritually / You stop praying, stop reading, stop serving, stop loving.
Peter was willing to go to prison and even follow Jesus to death but he began to focus on himself and wanted to make sure he protected himself.
Many are willing to follow Jesus until it is time to suffer. Until it is time to deny self
But Jesus Restores His Disciple
But Jesus Restores His Disciple
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Nelson’s New Testament Survey B. The Restoration of Peter (21:15–25)
Never rebuking Peter for his replies, Jesus repeatedly commissioned him for the pastoral ministry of God’s people. The grace of God had recovered a fallen disciple, one who was later greatly used by God to win many people to Christ (Acts 2–5; 10–11) and who wrote 1 and 2 Peter.
Peter Was Already Restored
Peter Was Already Restored
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Peter had an ally Job did not. Jesus was praying for him. This is a foretaste of Jesus’ heavenly role as our intercessor (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
I have prayed for you . . . when you have returned: The Greek word for you here is singular, referring specifically to Peter. In effect, Jesus restored Peter even before his fall
Vs31 - Satan desired Peter. / Satan will most certainly use this pandemic to his advantge.
The us of the metaphor of “sifting as wheat” is simply intended to indicate the coming of testing.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
One should not interpret this as God’s granting a request by Satan for permission to test the disciples as in Job 1–2. The saying speaks primarily of Satan’s trying to unsettle the disciples and cause them to become unfaithful.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Jesus’ prayer would prove greater than Satan’s attempt to undo his disciples’ allegiance. Jesus prayed as their advocate against Satan (“the accuser”).
Holman New Testament Commentary: Luke B. Preparing for Glory to Come: The Last Supper (22:7–38)
Here is a prayer of Jesus that was not fulfilled. Faith did fail Peter. Jesus knew it would. So Jesus encouraged Peter to come back from failure. Failure does not have to be the last word.