Love Despite Failure

Many I have spoken with through the years have had a concept of failure as being "final." They express that "all is lost" or that they should just give up, throw in the towel and quit because "it's over."

I think our society is too quick in sending these kind of messages. Just look at how easy it is to go from "Hero to Zero" today. Look at how quick our world will disown, discredit and destroy those who fail "just once." There just doesn't seem to be even an ounce of "mercy" left today!

I am sure the Disciples of Jesus were feeling like they totally blew it when they suddenly realized what they had done...abandoned Jesus (in the Garden of Gethsemane) at the most crucial time in human history (when Jesus was arrested). Unfortunately, Judas took the "easy wrong" instead of the "hard right" and committed suicide by hanging himself. Peter cursed up a storm to emphatically deny knowing Jesus (three times).

But, it wasn't just Judas and Peter...it was all 12 Disciples. When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:56 tells us "...Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." Betrayal, abandonment, denial...you name it, Jesus endured it all.

His main purpose was not to be just a punching-bag or a 'sin-sponge' to absorb all the brokenness we could dish out. His purpose was to show us the unconditional love of God the Father. It was to invite us into a personal, loving, intimate relationship with him.

This is what I find so fascinating about how Jesus restored Peter (John 21:15-19). Jesus didn't take Peter's denials and rub them in his face or grab him by the collar and demand an apology. In fact, Jesus wasn't looking for a confession of sin...Jesus was hoping for a confession of love...and that is precisely how Peter responded. PETER GOT IT! Peter said, "You know all things. You know that I love you!"

Jesus covers all our failures with his unconditional and pardoning love. What disappointments, mistakes or failures are you STILL holding on to? Failure is not in falling down...it is in the refusal to "get back up." Will you allow Jesus to help you back up? His hand is outstretched...will you grasp his hand and let Jesus help you get back up on your feet? I'm sure Peter would be cheering you on saying "do it...you won't be sorry!!"

Tetelestai!

Just before Jesus gives up His spirit on the cross, He utters a very powerful word. The word that He cries out is “ tetelestai” (tih-tellis-tie). When literally translated, this word means, “It is finished.” It can also refer to something completed or accomplished. The word occurs in John 19:28 and 19:30 and these are the only two places in all of the New Testament where it is found. In the John19:28 passage, it is translated, “After this, when Jesus knew that all things were now completed , in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I thirst.’” Two verses later, he utters the word himself: “Then when he received the sour wine Jesus said, ‘ It is finished ,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Did you know that the word tetelestai was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full? The Greek-English lexicon (by Moulton and Milligan) sa...

The 50-Days of Easter

Jesus rose from the dead. Period! He is alive. We are “easter people” and live daily as proof that He is risen from the dead. He did walk out of the grave. He conquered death. Jesus not only came back to life, but He stayed on earth to be seen by many witness. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 , “ He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.” After the resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth before He ascended back to His rightful place (1 Peter 3:22), and then there were ten more days after that before the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47). Jesus accomplished many things in this time between His resurrection and return to Heaven. One of the most important was actually a command to us. We refer to this impor...

Not Rejected

I think we could spend hours, if not days, in just the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. If there is one thing that is made clear in this writing is that God is passionately pursuing us and bidding us to have a relationship with Him that is restored by His Son, Jesus. There is one verse, in particular, that stands out to me. John 6:37 , “However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” Those that come to Jesus will never be rejected. If you come to Jesus, just as you are now, he will not turn you away. He gladly welcomes you to come to him. It is not God’s design or plan that we live separated from Him. He makes the way for that relationship to happen. He initiated the plan. He paid the price. He gives freely. He gives us free-will to choose or reject that offer of reconciliation through Jesus, His Son. God makes His intent clear: Ezekiel 33:11 , “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the ...

Clever Free Methodist

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