There are times when we look at someone and smile. There are times when we look at someone and frown. Circumstances that we may face cause us to smile or to frown. Can you recall a situation where you did one or the other at either a person or a situation?
The apostle Peter at one time, because of his denial of Jesus had an opportunity to frown. Not only to frown, in fact, but to weep bitter tears. Even though he was told this would happen, Peter said, “no never!” But it did happen. Jesus told Peter that he, Peter, would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter did deny Him and the rooster did crow. Imagine how Jesus might have frowned when He looked at Peter after it happened (Luke 22:61). It must have made those bitter tears and that frown all the more painful. Shortly after this, Jesus was taken to Mount Calvary and crucified.
However, the story doesn’t end there.
Remember in Matthew 16, Jesus told His disciples that He would build His church? He did. Establishing it through His power, in Acts chapter 2, the apostles preached on Pentecost. Peter, yes, the same Peter that had denied Jesus three times, has his sermon recorded there for us to see and concerning the beginning of that church that Jesus said that He would establish. How the Lord must have smiled on that occasion when those who crucified Him obeyed the gospel. How Peter must have smiled realizing the grace of the Savior that he had denied. Jesus entrusted Peter with the keys to preach the recorded first sermon concerning His church.
So, brothers and sisters, is it possible that we can be forgiven of sins that we commit against the Lord that can cause Him to frown? Can we still be given grace through a second (or third or “nth”) chance to be right with Him and to make Him smile? Our Jesus is a forgiving Savior because God wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Our goal is to have our loved ones, our church family, but especially our God always smile and never frown at our actions.
just claude (and a friend)
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