October 8, 2010

HEARTBROKEN

Luke 22:47-62

Leigh Sandwick
Friday's Devo

October 8, 2010

Friday's Devo

October 8, 2010

Central Truth

God can still use us even when we stumble and fall.

Key Verse | Luke 22:61–62

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61-62)

Luke 22:47-62

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant 1 22:50 Or bondservant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

[1] 22:50 Or bondservant

Dive Deeper | Luke 22:47-62

I love Peter, and I love that the picture we get of him from Scripture is so much broader than the other disciples. But I cringe because I relate to him in this passage more than I care to admit. Luke tells us in Luke 22:50 that one of Christ's disciples is so furiously devoted to Him that he cuts off the ear of one of the guards who has come to arrest Jesus. In John 18:10 we learn that it was Peter who did this.

Yet moments after this passionate display of devotion, Peter denies Christ. Three times he is asked if he is Jesus' follower, and each time Peter insists that he is not. (Luke 22:57-60) Only hours before, Jesus told Peter that he would turn away for a moment, but that he would turn back. Jesus told Peter, "[A]nd you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32b)

Reading about Peter's denials is difficult. However, it is verses 61-62 that break my heart. I deny Christ, and I don't have to see His face. I can only imagine how painful it was for Jesus to see one of His closest friends betray Him in this way. What was it like for Peter to look into the face of a friend he loved so much, but had hurt so deeply? I know that Peter was heartbroken as he saw the effect of his failure.

The greatest part of this story is that we know it is not over for Peter. I am grateful because I know more than Peter did as he wept bitterly outside the presence of Jesus. I know that Peter did turn back and that God used him in incredible ways to strengthen his brothers, just as Jesus said he would. When I read through the books of Acts, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter, I am amazed at the conviction and boldness with which Peter speaks and acts. What an encouragement to me that God redeems and brings eternal good from my own failures!

Discussion Questions

1. How do you deny Christ's presence in your life? How do you deny His power?

2. What circumstance in your life do you find it difficult to believe that Christ can redeem for good?

3. How do you seek to gain others' affirmation and acceptance at the cost of forsaking Christ?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How did Judas betray Jesus? Go back and read Luke 22:1-6.

2. What was Judas promised if he betrayed Jesus?

3. Have you ever betrayed a friend so that you could gain something for yourself? Is your relationship with that person “restored”? Have you asked for that person's forgiveness? If not, what can you do today to take steps towards restoration?