Epic Fail

Using today’s terminology, when someone makes a mistake it is sometimes referred to as a “fail”.

A mistake of grand proportion is sometimes referred to as an “epic fail”.

As our journey through the season of Lent continues, my thoughts once again turned to Jesus and the disciples who surrounded Him.

While Jesus never made a mistake, those around Him certainly did.

When it came to making mistakes, it seems that no one could make them like Peter.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells the disciples to travel ahead of Him by boat.

Later that evening the disciples see Jesus walking on the water toward them.

The disciples grow afraid even though Jesus tells them they have nothing to fear.

This is where Peter experiences a “fail”.

Matthew 14:28-31 (NET) - Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

This is not the only time Peter failed.

In Chapter 17, Peter experiences another fail during the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Matthew 17:1-5 (NET) - Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain. And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with him. So Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”

Peter would fail once again; but this time in a big way.

In Chapter 26, Jesus tells His disciples that when His time comes, all of them will fall away.

Peter claims that he will not fall away.

Matthew 26:33-34 (NET) - Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

It happened just as Jesus said it would.

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

Matthew 26:73-75 (NET) - After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too—even your accent gives you away!” At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter realized that this truly was an “epic fail”.

Scripture tells us Peter failed time and again.

Yet scripture never once tells us that Jesus ever stopped loving Peter.

Peter was redeemed and his transformation was incredible.

Both his ministry and testimony were powerful.

As we journey through this world people will fail us.

We will also fail others.

Some of these failures might even be considered “epic fails”.

Despite our failures, even our “epic” ones, Jesus never for a moment stops loving us.

We must continue to love others even when they fail us.

If we are completely honest with ourselves, we know that we will certainly fail them.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 18, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 25, 2016