Missionary Renegade: The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection from Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 20 May 2016 "His Disciples AND Peter"

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection from Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 20 May 2016 "His Disciples AND Peter"

Friday, 20 May 2016 - “His disciples AND Peter”
Daily Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, John 21:15-19
Reflection Questions:
It seems likely that as Jesus' enemies condemned and crucified him, Peter thought his denial, his failure, would haunt him the rest of his life. Thankfully, unlike Judas (cf. Matthew 27:3-5), he did not succumb to despair in some irreversible way. Perhaps he remembered all the times he had seen Jesus give people second chances. And Jesus had a wonderful second chance to offer to Peter.
Mark’s resurrection story contained one vital detail. In Mark 16:7, the messenger told Mary Magdalene and the other women, “Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee.” Even though Peter had made a point three times of publicly denying that he even knew Jesus, his name was specifically included in Jesus' invitation. What does this tell you about Jesus’ grace toward Peter? Can you trust Jesus to treat you the same way when you fail?

John 21:17 said, “Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’” Why do you believe Jesus thought it important for Peter to “undo” his triple denial? Have you ever found it painful to face issues that keep you from following God fully? What makes it worth working through that pain with God (and a wise counselor, when necessary) instead of avoiding it?

Today’s Prayer:
Loving Lord, sometimes your love is a “tough love” (in the best, most healing sense of that term). Thank you for always being prepared to offer me, like Peter, a second

chance when I need it. Amen.

-------Insights from Darren Lippe

Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group & a men’s group, and serves on the Curriculum team.
My wife, Doris, is an ultimate DIY (Do-It-Yourself) gal & would be described in psychological texts as a “serial hobbyist.” When we were courting, I was amazed at all of her interests: sewing, cooking, stain-glass design, leatherworking, woodworking, scrap booking, gardening, pottery, beading, painting, tiling, & rug hooking. (Who knew hot glue guns even came with a holster?) I got an inkling of what I was in for when, ala Norm at Cheers, the clerks at Jo-Ann’s yelled, “Doris” when we came into the store. I also learned that in the midst of any home-improvement project one does not simply go to Home Depot once.
Aside: When we were in the Resurrection Pre-Marital class in 1998, the grooms-to-be were spontaneously asked as an introductory/icebreaker question, “What they liked best about their bride-to-be?” I was first to go and, with very little preparation mind you, said, “Doris is so creative & imaginative.” Every other, and I mean every o-t-h-e-r, guy replied, “Because she is my best friend.” Fully realizing I would pay dearly for this error on the day Doris selected my nursing home, I pleaded for but was ultimately denied a “do-over.” Fortunately, Pastor Winger allowed extra-credit & Doris helped the curve so we were still able to scrape by with a probationary G.E.D. equivalent certificate. (At this point, I’ll be delighted if my nursing home has indoor plumbing.)
Of course Doris also loves reclamation projects “saved” from the trash. Every wagon, sewing machine, TV tray, & baby food jar is just waiting for its repurposed life. (I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a tad nervous that she is co-chair of the Church of the Resurrection Annual Rummage Sale this year – Donate July 12 & 13 / Shop July 15 & 16!) I had to smile at my early marital naiveté when rummaging through her craft room last week helping her find some pillow stuffing for who knows what when I ran across an old banker box that I had meticulously labeled, “Doris’ Craft Projects” – as if that single box would suffice.
Our friend Peter is also a DIY kind of guy (Hallelujah! – a Biblical reference – Editor). He is there ready to walk on water, ready to be bathed from head to toe at the Last Supper, & ready to fight to the death in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet, when questioned by various servant girls in the courtyard as his friend Jesus was enduring a kangaroo court procedure, Peter denies even knowing who Jesus was.
Peter must have been in a state of agony over that Holy weekend as he re-played those scenes in his mind. Peter may have even viewed Easter morning’s Good News with some trepidation as he tried to think of some way he could be worthy of sharing in Christ’s great victory.
What could he possibly do to atone for his shameful behavior? In a word: Nothing. There wasn’t anything Peter could do to rectify his actions or to make amends with Jesus. He had to have Christ’s help. Jesus initiated the process on that awful Friday afternoon & brings it to its glorious conclusion in today’s passage when He gives Peter a second chance to re-declare his love for Him.
I’ve always wondered why Peter, the leader of the church, would allow the story of his denying Christ see the light of day. We know of leaders who brag about transparency but try to hide every little thing that might cast them in a bad light. Yet, Peter had to be a source for the story & probably had to help explain to John the full implications of his restoration conversation with Jesus.
Perhaps Peter, knowing full well that we future Christians would also deny Christ in our own way, desperately wanted us to understand just how much God loves us & how much Jesus is willing to sacrifice to offer us the gift of redemption.
So, while DIY is the perfect can-do attitude for our hustling & bustling lives, perhaps we would be wise to remember that when it comes to our faith walk we are never alone &, instead, have a mindset of DFY. (Died For You.)