August 25 Emphatic Response

Luke 22:61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”  62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
 
 WE have seen Peter’s emphatic denials of his Lord. Now we see his emphatic sorrow. Seeing his Lord face-to-face, he remembered all Jesus had said. He heard in his mind his emphatic assurance, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) Then he heard his words, “Woman I don’t know him.”
    Now Peter is face-to-face with his sin. And what can he do but bitterly weep? He loves Jesus. He is willing to even suffer and die for his Lord. But for a few moments, fear rose up and transformed the emphatic disciple into a shamed sinner.
    Emphatic denial is the reason for many sins, isn’t it? Think what happens when a spouse denies the other, a parent denies a child, a worker denies a boss, a church member denies his vows, a motorist denies the rules or we disciple deny Jesus. The list is long. It is troubled with broken promises and sudden reactions. We act to preserve our desires while denying another’s needs. Our allegiances become shallow when trouble threatens our comfort.
    To be Jesus’ disciple commands an unwavering allegiance to the Lord. Disciples are emphatic to hold fast to each command Jesus has so passionately delivered to our hearts. Such passion in return is necessary to be effectively emphatic for our Lord and his people on earth.
    Listen closely to the apostle Paul emphasize faith’s power: Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
    This is the victory of being one with our Lord. In his emphatic shame, Peter was for a moment, separated from Jesus. But Jesus did not stop loving him. Peter did not stop loving Jesus. Purposefully, Jesus had called Simon and named him Peter. Emphatically, Jesus had given Peter and his disciples the gospel of salvation. Peter was about to personally learn how emphatic Jesus’ truth is for his own life and for the world.
    I pray you know, this, too. Are you shamed with sin? It’s easy to be if you dwell on it. But emphatically focus on the gospel. Know Jesus loves you. Be willing to show him your love. Go to him and look into his loving face. He has conquered the cross, so you can emphatically conquer sin.
 
Prayer: Father in heaven, you have demonstrated your great love for me. While I was still a sinner, you sent your Son to die for me. Thank you for your emphatic grace. I pray you forgive me of my shame and I receive your renewing, resurrection love. Amen.