Front Porch Memories : It’s not far from the garden to the fire
Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008
This may be like some of the messages I bring on Sundays. I tell the folks here that this may be just for me and you are coming along for the ride. I was reading concerning the Lord's last few days on this earth and came across the passage that always gives me chills. Luke 22: 61, 62. "And the Lord turned, and looked lowed afar off. upon Peter, And Peter remem- As Jesus was being questioned and mocked, Peter stood without by a fire because the weather was cold. As he stood next to the fire warming himself he was questioned if he were with Jesus or not. He denied each time until the last, the third, when he began to curse and swear that he did not know the man. That is when Jesus turned and looked on Peter. I can see their eyes meeting across the way and the volume of words that were spoken without a sound. Peter remembered his great claim and now here he stands doing just that which the Lord said he would do and that which he swore he would never do. The shame and pain this must have caused. The cut must have been to the heart of Peter to bring the reaction of bitter tears.
Now, I begin to think on the things that I have said and the many times I have made great claims of effort to share the word or testify of my understanding of Christ. Oh yes, I am quick to share how much I think I know about Jesus, but to claim to know Jesus is another. When I am contradicted on points I think I have suffered great affliction, but not so. I have good intentions to do more, study more, pray more, speak more, help more, give bered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly."
This is a view into one of the apostles'lives the night that Jesus was betrayed. He had spent his last night with them dining and teaching. It was this night and that meal in which we have recorded some of the most intimate fellowship Jesus ever shared with men. It was here he established what we now observe as "Communion"and here he washed their feet. We remember this night by bread and wine and still follow the example of washing feet. It was during this time that he taught them what true service is and where true joy comes from. It was here that these men, especially Peter, had made their great claim to faith by saying," Though all forsake thee, I will never forsake thee. "Why, he said he would go with Jesus even unto death.
I'm sure that it was a surprise when the Lord told them that they would all forsake him and to Peter that before the cock crew twice, he would deny him thrice. They left that upper room and went into the garden where Jesus prayed three times in great need. Peter, James and John were the closest to him and they fell asleep each time they were left alone. When Judas came with the host and took Jesus, Peter pulled a sword and cut one of the soldier's ears off. Jesus told him to put up the sword and healed the man's ear. I'm sure this was not quite what Peter had anticipated happening. Jesus was taken from them and they all fled. Peter folmore, etc. Then the opportunity comes and I draw back and deny. I am more concerned with warming my hands or covering my own backside that I leave the Lord hanging. God help !
It is then that I can feel those same eyes piercing through to the very soul. The tears well up in my eyes and the shame is overpowering. The cock doesn't crow for me, but the sound of silence is deafening. The guilt is more than can be carried.
Honestly, it doesn't take much for most of us to forget what we have claimed or promised. It doesn't take long to slip from the position from which we were sure we would never fall. If left to ourselves, constant failure would be our claim to fame. How then can we ever hope to be a witness to his goodness or testify to his faithfulness to such as we ?
Praise the Lord I hear him from the cross as he prays," Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. "His mercy is extended yet again and I am lifted to serve once more. I long to have the acknowledgment of his look in pleasure rather than the look of shame and denial.
May He give us strength to bear up in those times of witness to own him as he did us in the worst of times. He has never, nor will ever, forsaken us. May we not be ashamed to claim him as our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Carl Staten is the pastor of Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church, 1509 Little Flock Drive, Rogers. He can be reached by calling 246-9858 or by e-mail at lfpbc @ juno. com. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Community Pray the Rosary with the Knights of Columbus will be held at 6 a.m. Oct. 3 in the Guadalupe Chapel.
The next Knights of Columbus meeting in English is at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 in the St. Vincent de Paul Hall Blue Room. The next meeting in Spanish is at 8 a.m. Oct. 4 in the Blue Room.
Parishioners are invited to bring food items for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Items of need include flour, beans, rice and canned fruit. We also still invite the donation of stuffed animals.
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