Getting Back Up


In the 2008 Big Ten Indoor Track Championships Heather Dorniden fell in the 600 meters. Most runners would quit at that point, but not Heather. She got up and kept running...and won the race. Look it up on YouTube. You’ll be glad you watched it.

Ever blown it? Sure you have. We all have. In the race of life we’ve all fallen along the way. It’s why we relate so well to someone like Peter. The outspoken disciple was prone to putting his foot is his mouth, but it’s the words he didn’t speak we remember him for the most.

Jesus had been arrested. He was taken from the Garden of Gethsemane in the night after being betrayed by a kiss. Peter had boldly stood at the arrest, even brandishing a sword, and in an act condemned by Christ had cut off Malchus’ ear. The ear was miraculously healed by Jesus, and the soldiers then took him to stand trial. Peter followed...but kept his distance.

During the night he would fulfill a prophecy spoken over him by Jesus himself. 

"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." Matthew 26:34

Peter wept bitterly that night. Jesus would be crucified. Thanks be to God the grave did not hold him. Some days later a now risen Savior would meet Peter on a shore one morning where he would restore his call on his life with the words, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" John 21:16

His answer was, “yes.”

I’m reminded this morning that when Jesus restored Peter he didn’t tell him to do better. He reminded him to love him. I’ve blown it along the way, as have you. When we fall short the easy way out is to try to do better next time. What we really need to do is to love Jesus.

Jesus would ask Peter if he loved him three times. Without a doubt this was purposeful. There had been three denials. I suppose he would have to ask me if I love him far more than three times. Perhaps your experience has been the same. However many times it comes let’s be sure our answer is also always, “Yes, Lord. You know I love you.”

Following the Son,
James A Williams

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