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

Ignoring the Warning Signs

James 4:17 (NIV)
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

Wednesday morning, it rained… hard!

According to the experts, a low pressure system stalled right over the top of us and it just kept raining.

A series of flash flood watches were issued and these were quickly updated to flash flood warnings.

Low water crossings became dangerous.

A news crew had been dispatched to one crossing in particular that is always one of the
first to become problematic.

By the time they had arrived, public safety officials had already set up road blocks to protect drivers.

While the television reporter was delivering the news that this crossing had already been blocked off, his cameraman turned in order to capture the image of a car simply driving around the roadblock as if it were not there and then proceeded down the road to the crossing about a half mile away.

Needless to say, the reporter reminded viewers that this an illegal act that carries a fine. He also reminded viewers that making a choice like this shows a lack of sound judgment.

It reminded me of an incident I experienced just a few months ago.

It was on a Saturday and I went to the supermarket to do my weekly shopping.

I walked inside and grabbed a cart.

Suddenly, the fire alarm sounded and warning lights began to flash in every department.

As I put my cart back, I was surprised to see almost everyone continuing their shopping.

By their expressions, I could tell that they considered the combination of the alarm and
flashing lights annoying but not enough for them to stop shopping and head for the exits.

I shook my head in disbelief and went outside.

After a few minutes, the alarm went silent so I went back inside.

I noticed the lights had also quit flashing.

I identified an employee by his name tag and asked if everything was okay.

“False alarm,” he said. “I don’t know what triggered it but everything is okay now.”

The shoppers who ignored these warning signs were lucky… this time!

I thanked him, grabbed a cart and proceeded to get my own shopping done.

That’s the way it is with sin. Often times when we are tempted to sin, we know in our
hearts that the path on which we are about to embark is the wrong path.

Sometimes, the mere thought of what we are about to do or say brings on that feeling of guilt well before the act is committed or the words are spoken.

According to 1 Corinthians 10:13...
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.

If the Holy Spirit puts up a road block to keep you on the right path, will you choose to simply go around it?

If He causes the alarm of guilt to go off in your mind, will you choose to simply act as if there were no warning at all?


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.co.nr/ on Friday, June 18, 2010.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 25, 2010.