This week I seem to be thinking
about MERCY.
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I
follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Jesus answered him, Wilt
thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock
shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. Let not your heart be
troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 13:37-John 14:3)
It is good to remember that
when the Bible was originally written there were no chapter and verse
notations. This section is only part of a larger conversation.
Here is something that I saw
as I considered this passage.
Jesus was giving final
instructions to his closest followers, in the verses that come before and then
he begins to talk about his departure and the disciples are upset. And Peter
declares his devotion to Jesus, in his usual enthusiastic way. Jesus, very
lovingly, shows Peter what and how he is.
It seems to me that this is a
lovely example of Jesus and our Father’s mercy. Here is what I mean, as I
understand this.
·
MERCY: It is the
mercy and the very great Love of God that shows me my sin.
·
SIN: Sin is how I
live outside of connection/relationship with the Father. (Romans 14:23b)
all that is not of faith is sin.
·
GRACE: Father
gives grace to live a life of faith. (Hebrews 4:16) Therefor let us come
boldly to the throne of grace, that me my obtain mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.
A
life of Faith is a life of listening in order to obey.
