October 7, 2016

DON'T LET SHAME DETERMINE YOUR DIRECTION

Luke 22:47–62

Matt Pacholczyk
Friday's Devo

October 7, 2016

Friday's Devo

October 7, 2016

Central Truth

We all are prone to stray from God. Even in our disobedience, He doesn’t condemn us; He pursues us and calls us back into a relationship with Him. He uses our missteps and flaws to reveal His never-ending grace and strengthen us for future ministry.

Key Verse | Luke 22:61

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” (Luke 22:61)

Luke 22:47–62

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant 1 22:50 Or bondservant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

[1] 22:50 Or bondservant

Dive Deeper | Luke 22:47–62

Have you ever felt like you disappointed God?

Maybe you made a decision that ultimately led to pain and shame, but in the moment it seemed right. Maybe you knew you were disobeying, but chose to anyway.

How does God feel about you when you fail?

Take the Apostle Peter. We all know Peter: a real “ready-FIRE!-aim” kind of guy. Brash and outspoken, he made decisions on gut-feeling without too much hesitation. When Jesus asked His disciples, “[W]ho do you say that I am?,” Peter was the first to answer and said, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20).

Peter knew who Jesus was! But this same Peter also told Jesus he would follow Him “both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). This very same one later denied even knowing Him. When he realized what he had done, he ran and wept.

Here’s the truth: we ALL are prone to sin. “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Each of us has denied Christ in order to serve our own interests. We are more frail and broken than we realize.

When I read that Jesus “turned and looked at Peter,” I’m tempted to think it’s a look of condemnation. “Really, Peter? How could you?” I used to think that God responded like this when I was disobedient.

What's fascinating is that word translated "looked" in verse 61 can be defined in Greek as “to look with interest, love, or concern” (emblepo). Isn’t that crazy?!  Even in Peter’s denial, Jesus had compassion for him. This is how God responds to us when we sin.

God isn’t surprised by our willingness to choose sin. When Jesus hung on a cross 2,000 years ago, bloody, beaten, and humiliated, He knew exactly what He was dying for. He was dying for you, for me, for the sins of the whole world. There’s no shame, only grace.

Want some?

Discussion Questions

1. Do you view God as a condemning dictator or gracious Savior? Why do you think that way?

2. In the midst of sin, do you run toward God, or do you run from Him?

3. In what areas of your life are you susceptible to denying Christ and following your own desires? How can you be held accountable here? Be sure to process these with your community group or others close to you.

4. What is one step you could take today in response to God’s overwhelming love for you?