SEEING PAST THE PRESENT
Christ’s patience
SEEING PAST THE PRESENT
Christ’s patience
Christ’s patience
As Americans we are taught to struggle and fight for our rights and privileges.
The, “Bill of Rights,” penned by Thomas Jefferson describes us as being, “endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Unfortunately obtaining happiness is much more difficult than pursuing it.
Most of us who struggle with feelings of fear, anger, rage or depression have found life to be anything but happy. Having been molded by our past, the process of pursuing our desires and ambitions has not been satisfying.
Our expectations for ourselves and others have not been met, and we have not experienced the degree of freedom or comfort we anticipated.
Never the less we continue to try to control our world, on our own terms. In doing so, we often act as though we are god or king over our own lives, and sometimes as ruler over the lives of those around us.
We may not intend to do so, but our needs motivate us to become manipulative and judgmental of those around us who do not meet our expectations.
As we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, He will begin to set us free from the need to try to rule over and judge those around us!
He will increasingly give us the freedom to be in His presence, and in the presence of others in the, “here and now.“
He gives freedom to move past the filters of the past and out of our insecurities.
He will free us, as we surrender our beliefs. He will free us if we will allow it, but we have to allow Him to replace the old man. This means a dying process.
NIV 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
16. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Many of us have a desire to please God, and even, “Become Christ-like.” We become disappointed with ourselves and withdraw when we seem to fail.
Consider Christ’s response to those who disappointed Him.
Continuing with Peter, (from Chapter 10)
We see that Peter’s distraction and resistance continued through the time of the Passover. The narrative continues in the Gospel of John:
NIV John 13:3-10, 12-17
3. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
4. so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7. Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8. "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9. "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10. Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean….”
continuing in verse 12
12. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
Notice the power struggle that went on as Peter continues to resist, and then tries to direct Christ. Even when Jesus encourages Peter to be patient and trust, Peter resisted.
This event was similar to the conversation God had with Cain, before he slew his brother Able.
(If you are unfamiliar, see Chapter 8 Be Angry An Sin Not)
Here, our, Wonderful Counselor, Jesus, patiently teaches and models the principles of, “the Kingdom.” Jesus does not attack, become exasperated, disappointed or hostile. Jesus does not passively ignore Peter’s misdirected requests. Jesus stays on track attentive to the will of His Heavenly Father.
The text continues:
NIV John 13:3-10, 12-17
13. "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
15. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
In the Gospel of Luke it also states:
NIV Luke 22:25-33
25. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28. You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30. So that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel
31. "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33. But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
NIV John 13:33-38
33. "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
The text continues:
NIV John 13:33-38
35. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
36. Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
37. Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38. Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Before the betrayal and crucifixion, Peter presented himself as courageous, bold and brash! Standing at the side of the Messiah, it appears that he believed he was on the brink of ushering in God’s earthly Kingdom! Peter was looking for power and glory!
But Jesus wasn’t preparing him for that kind of glory, at least not at this time. Jesus was preparing him for service. Peter had repeatedly resisted Christ’s Lordship and teachings about service. He had actively ignored the preparation Jesus had provided. He was not ready to serve, but he was ready and willing to fight and die! And hopefully rule with Messiah!
Peter had been living in a dream world.
Many of us who struggle with strong emotions like Peter feel a similar willingness to work hard, fight great opposition, and make great sacrifices for our Savior.
We may have intense feelings of loyalty, duty, and a strong sense of responsibility. We may even be leaders or people in positions of authority. Never the less, if Christ is calling us to something else, we are defying His Lordship and walking in disobedience when we ignore and defy His direction.
He is the one who directs our path.
The Gospel of John continues:
NIV John 18:3-11
3. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
The text continues:
NIV John 18:3-11
4. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
5. "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
6. When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus was prepared to deliver the disciples from the hands of the crowd and soldiers that approached him! Even as he had been delivered many times from the angry crowds in the past, His supernatural power was demonstrated here.
Earlier Jesus stated:
“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
The text continues:
NIV John 18:3-11
7. Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8. "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."
9. This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."
10. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
11. Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Here again Peter was out of sync with Jesus. Jesus had said, “Let these men go,” and Peter ignored Him! Jesus was deescalating the situation, to allow the disciples to escape. He had demonstrated His power, and was now requesting a bloodthirsty mob to act rationally.
Peter on the other hand was ready to attack and usher in, ”the Kingdom.” His moment for glory had arrived, so he escalated the conflict to battle mode.
Peter drew his sword and struck! Here again he is acting like Cain. But this wasn’t his moment of glory. Peter was just lashing out at the closest person in an effort to seize control.
For most people of strong emotion who struggle with controlling anger, it is easy to lash out when our expectations are not met. Our fears can impair our judgment and distort our perceptions so much that we may feel justified, or even heroic when we vent the intensity of our emotion onto those around us.
Fortunately, Jesus knows up from down, and wants to bring healing both to us, and those we cause harm to. Jesus healed the man’s ear.
Jesus knew Peter. Peter’s heart was strong. He had prayed for him and He was working through the sifting to let Peter see the content of his own heart, even as He does in our hearts. Jesus is not surprised by our weaknesses, and failures. God uses them to demonstrate the depth of His love for us, and to bring us to repentance and restoration. Peter was an example of God’s graciousness to those of us who repeatedly mess up with great intensity!
Peter eventually got the message, but not immediately. Jesus never gave up on Peter. He continued to call him to the service that had been prepared for him. Several days later, after His resurrection, Jesus speaks as though He is picking up on the same conversation right where He had left off. It is as though nothing had happened.
Jesus remained on task, focused on the will of the Father for Peter, but Jesus’ persistence was hard for Peter.
The text continues:
NIV John 21:1-23
1. Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias
2. Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee , the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
Do you Love me more than these?
The text continues:
NIV John 21:1-23
3. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
6. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
8. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11. Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
13. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16. Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17. The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”
Jesus knew that Peter wanted to show brotherly love and loyalty to Him on his terms, even as a soldier would. Peter had demonstrated that.
But Peter didn’t express any desire to, “Truly Love, Follow and Serve” in the way that Jesus was asking.
The love Jesus was asking about is the, “agapao love,” described in John 3:16. This is the self sacrificing love that Jesus demonstrated toward us.
For this Peter would need to change. He would have to love Christ more than these,… more than the familiarity of this life with these boats, fish and the money they represented.
More than these followers that respected and looked up to him for leadership, more than his pride and self confidence.
The text continues:
NIV John 21:1-23
18. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19. Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he
said to him, "Follow me!"
20. Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")
21. When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22. Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
Peter was still in denial. He was not ready to hear Christ’s concerns. He was still trying to hide from them. Instead of acknowledging his shortcomings, repenting, and accepting his assignment he tried to change the subject and began making comparisons and demands.
Jesus was not distracted, or angered. He remained on task, but this time He stated His Fathers plan in the imperative. “You must follow me.” Earlier Christ had stated:
NIV John 12:24-26
24. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
The text continues:
NIV John 12:24-26
26. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Peter had been sifted like wheat, and found wanting. He had repeatedly denied even knowing Jesus, and had led the other disciples back to fishing after watching his idol of false belief and control being torn down at Jesus' death.
His dream of self-centered glory was dying, even as Jesus had warned, but this was only the beginning for Peter.
Peter would still have to exchange his concerns for Christ’s concerns, his heart for Christ’s heart. Peter would learn to die to his old self, abandon his idols and tear down his monuments.
KJV Ezekiel 11:19-21
19. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20. That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
21. But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God.
Identify at least two, "Cherished Beliefs," "Passionate Points of View, or, "Prideful Practices," that have become as, “IDOLS,” in how they distract you or control your responses and interfere with your true purpose or calling in Christ?
How has your allegiance to these beliefs affected you?
How has it affected your relationship with your family members?
Do these beliefs represent a need that you feel should be met?
What is the truth about these beliefs?
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