Zero to Hero: Peter the Zero

In Mark Chapter Eleven, we see Jesus relating to his disciples that he must die.

Peter rebukes Jesus. "You gotta have guts to rebuke Jesus."

Jesus rebukes Peter. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Peter:  Blah, blah, blah.

When God's plan doesn't line up with your plan: Blah, blah blah.
What do you do?  How do you respond?

Days later in the upper room Jesus is prophesying desertion, betrayal, and denial by people in the room.  Peter again:  Blah, blah, blah.

In the garden, Jesus praying, sweating as it were great drops of blood, is distraught.
The disciples are sleeping.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.  The same men who said they would die for him were sleeping on the job.

Enter another Zero:  Judas.  Judas had in mind a world plan for Jesus, not what Jesus had in mind.  Perhaps the betrayal was an attempt on the part of Judas to force Jesus hand, to force him to "take charge" and establish his kingdom.

We betray Christ for our own dreams.

During the trial Jesus is questioned.  Outside, so is Peter.  Peter denies Jesus.  Curses.
Peter is always saying too much, getting himself into trouble.  He had not counted the cost.
Peter wept bitterly.

Peter was dealing with shame.

We don't talk about shame in the church.  Shame  is the feeling one has in believing he can't get it right, did not live up to his own expectations.  Shame is crippling.

"Peter was constantly dealing with shame, thinking less of himself than he should have.  This is why he talked too much.

Peter was a disciple of the Christ, but in his heart he was still a fisherman,  What a loser.

Four days later Mary found the tomb empty.  The emissary:  "Jesus is alive and well.  Go tell his disciples AND Peter.

Jesus handed out grace, not condemnation.

Some of us carry shame; deny ourselves God's grace.
Put on a front?  You need grace.  You do not need to bear shame.

Jesus paid it all.

Regrets can turn into shame.  Shame will keep you from your full potential.  Shame will cripple you.

"Lord, forgive us for living in shame, for talking too much.  Give us grace.  Put within our hearts and minds the vision of who we are in You.  We need your grace."

Amen

Grace always goes too far.

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning