Scripture reading for today: Matthew 26 – 28; Psalm 97
“Addiction is about wanting to be hungry, about the need to be unsatisfied. This, it turned out, was the truth that, for the longest time, I sought to deny.” William Leith – author of The Hungry Years: Confessions of a Food Addict (Gotham)
Denial: Denial is so much more than a river in Egypt! It’s that stubborn propensity to see things with a skewed perspective. Denial is a range of maneuvers designed to reduce awareness of the fact that we have problems; we have mislabeled our problems; our problems are beyond our capacity to solve (independently of God).
I so hope the guy I talked to yesterday follows through with his good intentions. After a prolonged and almost fatal relapse, he showed up at our celebration service at NorthStar Community, loaded up with promises and plans for reform. I truly hope that this time he succeeds. I do. But I’m getting older and although I can’t claim to be wiser, I do have more experience.
Experience has taught me that a lot of verbal expressions of “turning over a new leaf”, new plans, new promises and surefire solutions usually slide glibly off the lips of those who are in the process of moving one day closer to their next relapse. I also believe that this man was completely sincere. He wants to be right and to find that new leaf, execute the plan, fulfill the promises, and find a solution to his plaguing hurts.
Today you’re going to read in Matthew 26 how Peter and Jesus approached their personal times of testing. In Matthew 26:31-35, Jesus warns Peter. He tells him, “Tonight all of you will desert me.” Peter replies with a confidence and bravado that leave me queasy, “NO!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” A short while later, Peter denies Jesus–not once, not twice, but three times.
In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus confronts his own demons. Three times he went in prayer to his father and said (this is my paraphrase), “I don’t want to do this! Get me out of here! There’s got to be another way. I feel terrible! I want a way out! But I also want to please you, dad, and I want to do what you want me to more than anything else.” Then Jesus goes off and saves the world. But don’t miss the point; he was reluctant, he was in pain, and he was honest. (If you’re unfamiliar with the particulars of all that Jesus did in the days that followed to save us, you might want to read our Insight Journal entitled “Finding Our Way Back to God Part 3.” You can get a copy at www.NorthStarCommunity.com).)
We can ignore the principles found in step one, and act like Peter, or we can choose to follow the model of Christ. As you decide, think about the outcome for each man. Peter, shame-filled and appalled; Christ, strengthened and empowered to live God’s big dream for him.
Here’s one more important thought. Notice that even though Peter acted like a big old goof, Jesus restored him in spite of his goofiness. Peter goes on to lead the church, preach great sermons, heal people, and yes, even suffer for the cause. That says so much more about God’s character than it does Peter’s ability to perform under pressure. So I leave you today with great hope. Whether we effectively master step one or not, God continues to love and care for us. Our freedom is not contingent upon our good behaving but upon God’s mercy and grace.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34-36 NIV