A question to every man who ever failed: Why did Jesus put the man’s severed ear back on? We know Peter took a sword and cut it off. We know why. We can also guess that Jesus healed Malchus’ ear out of compassion. But there is something way deeper going on here. What does that have to do with every man who ever failed? Everything.
Peter failed in spectacular fashion. He bragged he would stand with Jesus even if everyone else fled. He fell asleep in the Garden. He assaulted the priest’s servant. Though he was warned about it in advance, he went ahead and denied Christ 3 times.
Saturday, the day after Jesus died, wouldn’t hurt so much if Peter didn’t love Jesus. That he abandoned Christ began to torment him. It could for the rest of his life. But right now, he doesn’t believe there is a rest of his life.
Saturday: his day to hide like a hunted animal. A day to let it sink in that there is nothing left to live for. He was a hair’s breadth away from the fate of Judas Iscariot. Worst of all, he lost his destiny.
Destiny is a mysterious thing. The same force that can inspire a man to greatness can—in his failure—torture him. The pain level depends on the size of the destiny. In his case, it was massive.
Peter was minding his own business when Jesus interrupted his whole life. Fishing all night, Peter caught nothing. His hands are red and sore from handling the heavy nets. Every muscle aches. He has nothing to show for a brutal night at sea.
The strange teacher says, “Let your nets down again for a catch.” Peter halfheartedly does as he is asked. The enormous catch terrified him. He begs Jesus to keep his distance, “I am a sinful man.”
Let those who have an ear to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!…beautiful Mario, Apostle Peter like so many of us oft feel we’re disqualified for service to The great Master of our soul’s. I was riveted and captivated by what John Foxe records regarding the 1st persecution of Christians in Rome under Nero where it says that Peter gathered with the brothers and sisters and they encouraged Peter to escape the city of Nero’s persecution – Foxe says …
“the story goes that as he (Peter) came to the city’s gate, Peter saw Jesus coming to meet him. “Lord, where are You going?”Peter asked. “I’m come again to be crucified,” was the answer. Seeing that his suffering was understood, Peter returned to the city (of Rome), where Jerome tells us he was crucified head down at Peter’s own request, saying that he was not worthy to be crucified the same way his Lord was. (end of Foxe’s recording). Hence the title of Quo Vadis! “Where are You going!”
Many theological debates arise whether or not Peter was ever actually in Rome but I for one trust John Foxe’s historical record of Martyrs, and Peter’s compelling desire to never let Jesus down again.
My dear brother Mario,
The intensity of anointing on your writings continues to grow… it brings me to tears at the beauty and insight into the heart of Jesus and the mind of man. Thank you, God bless and heal you, but please don’t stop writing!
We love you, ya know.
Rosemary
Hi Mario,
I read both the Mary and Peter blogs this morning and enjoyed the truths they bring. Talk about two people who had every reason to give up. Jesus made such a difference for them and He surely does the same for us. I find it amazing in these days, those of us that man has cast aside, God is raising up. The purposes of God are not being fulfilled by the big names, and as you wrote in previous blogs, those of us with little names are being given big revelations to share with the body. Thanks for being there to encourage us, your voice has given us the strength and encouragement we needed to believe that God has a place for us in His service.
So Good is the TRUTH imparted to the world through your ministry from the Wisdom of God directly to our searching eyes and hearing ears to keep our lamps filled with the oil of gladness that we can continue on in the faith to lay hold of that Joy that is set before us daily …in the presence of our enemies that our joy may be full and Christ may be Glorified by means of His Victiry over the rulers of darkness …let our light so shine before men that the revalations He has for us may shed abroad to all around us as we are so encouraged to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Stay blessed !!