Roll Up: Jesus’ Patience & Instruction with Peter’s Failures & Sins
Let’s compare the 6 posts from October. Peter’s screw-ups, failures and even his sins reveal Jesus’ consistent patience and instruction. When we see Jesus’ goodness towards Peter’s sin, this gives us confidence to press into God (verses running from God) when we fail or sin. The knowledge of His patience strengthens our relationship with God!
Early in the month we looked at Peter’s failure to understand Jesus’ parable regarding what makes a person “clean” or “unclean.” (Matt 13:36) Peter doesn’t get it. In Mark 4:13 (we didn’t cover this one) the disciples fail to understand the parable of the 4 soils. In Matthew 16:7 the disciples are completely confused by Jesus’ warning: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees’ and Sadducees.” In all 3 cases, Jesus doesn’t get frustrated or irritated. In each case Jesus explains what they do not understand. He patiently instructs them. It reveals that we don’t have to be “perfect” in understanding. Jesus will work with us, in patience, to grow us. (And you see the same characteristic in Holy Spirit – who is called the Counselor or teacher.)
We also looked at Peter’s failure to continue walking on the water. Jesus grabs him and rescues him. Jesus doesn’t find fault with Peter nor reject him. Jesus instructs Peter that he didn’t have to doubt. Sometime later Peter speaks up during a Heavenly encounter between Jesus, Moses & Eljiah. Peter draws all the attention to himself! The Father, HIMSELF, is patient with Peter and instructs him to keep his eyes on Jesus. We see the same thing as the disciples have heated arguments about which one of them is the greatest! It is surprising that Jesus is so steady and patient with the sin of selfish ambition! But He is. Jesus instructs them to be servants. Lastly we saw Peter worrying about his reward for leaving everything and following Jesus. Jesus doesn’t accuse Peter of selfishness or self-centered thoughts, but is patient with Peter and reveals the future to Peter. Jesus instructs him on the rewards for faithful leaders in, both, this age and the next (Mk 10:30).
What is fascinating here is Jesus’ lack of motivating the disciples with rejection. He never says, “You blew it. I am getting someone to take your place of leadership” or “If you don’t pray more or learn faster I am going to …” That is NOT how Jesus motivates people. That is not what Jesus does when He encounters failures or sins. The relationship is not threatened. The relationship is intact. He is patient while challenging them (and us) to “grow” and “learn.”
Depending on your image of God you may read more accusation and rejection into Jesus words to the disciples. Jesus’ response of “Are you still so dull?” Or “Why did you doubt?” – may stir feelings of accusation. Before my image of God had been re-shaped by the visible character of Jesus, I saw accusation and rejection in many of Jesus’ words to His disciples. I felt like He was always critical of them or close to rejecting them in terms of salvation. Why did I do this? This is what my dad would have done! I had transferred my Dad’s character onto Jesus. I felt like Jesus was always saying, “Do better or your out of here!” It was only later that I began to see that Jesus was instructing them.
Jesus’ wonderful patience with weak and sinful followers exactly reveals the Father’s patience, because “God Is Just Like Jesus.” John 14:9
Prayer: “Father, please connect your Words to Your character in my mind and heart. Help me not interpret your Word (Bible) through the broken lens of my parents, authority figures or other people. Help me see and know your patience so that I can get back up when I sin and know You have not rejected me. Help me see the pleasure you have in my love for you even though it is not perfect.”
(Next month we will look at Jesus correction or discipline of His followers. But even then He does not reject them.)
