Following the Master - 12 (Living the Story)
Ever had one of those moments when you are reading a book or watching a movie, and it becomes clear to you that you are caught in a bad story? A more difficult scenario to deal with is the realization that the story you are currently living is in trouble! Caught in a bad story. Ever wish you had the opportunity to start over and re-write the story line?
This week, Pastor Jon invites us to enter into one of the episodes in the ongoing (and often messy) story of Peter. As you know, toward the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus, Peter found himself caught up in a bad story. His inability to fully grasp the real nature of God's Kingdom (which we glimpse as Peter tries to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem), and perhaps a blind spot or two in regard to his own character (evidenced by his assurances of his faithfulness despite Jesus' warnings to the contrary) left him vulnerable when Jesus' own story took an unexpected turn, and Peter found himself emphatically denying that he even knew Jesus. It was a devastating story line!
What is most amazing, however, is that Jesus gave him the opportunity to re-write that story line. Jesus wrote a new story line for him and invited him to step into this new story and live out. This is what Pastor Jon explores with us in the sermon, and what you can read about in the scripture passage to the right. If you would like to listen to the sermon again (or for the first time) you can click here to access our sermon library.
There were several earlier times the story of Jesus and His disciples where opportunities were given to enter into a new story. But whether they come at the beginning of our walk with God, or at later points along the way, it's good to know that Jesus continues to invite us to stories that are more worthy of us (and of Him) than those we sometimes find ourselves seemingly trapped in. That's what Michael Card sings about below:
John 21 (TNIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
A Couple of Questions to Consider . . .
How might God be inviting you to consider a change in the story you are living?
How might God be inviting you to not worry so much about other people's stories, but let Him work in yours? In what ways do you need to hear that in your life?
Can you hear the questions Jesus is asking? Are you listening carefully to your responses? Do you hear what He is inviting you into?
An intriguing book about how God re-writes our stories is Donald Miller's, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It is written in typical Donald Miller style, and leaves you thinking. It's available at your favorite source for books - but if you want to hear the author give a brief overview, click here.