CHRIST'S ATTITUDE TO THOSE WHO LET HIM DOWN PT1

MEMORY VERSE: But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail, and when you have returned to Me strengthen your brothers. Like 22:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Lev 18, Ps 22, Eccl 1, 1 Tim 3

BIBLE STUDIES : Luke 22:55-61

It is not a good thing at all to be let down by people. It can be very painful when people you have invested time, energy, money etc let you down.Such was the case of Jesus and Peter. When Jesus met Peter, he was a failure. Peter had tried repeatedly and failed. When He met him, Peter was just an ordinary fishermen who had no future. Peter was broke, confused, tired of life, unhappy, tired physically to mention a few. Jesus saw him in the midst of all these and turned his situation around - he asked him to launch into the deep and let down his net for a catch. Peter obeyed and his long awaited breakthrough came, Luke 5:1-7. Jesus took their relationship to another level by showing Peter His glory on mount of transfiguration. He finished it off by writing his name in the book book life,Luke 10:20. Jesus did not stop there, He even went a step further to invest time and energy on Peter's extended family.He left His engagements and personally paid Peter's mother - in - law a visit when she was sick,Matthew 8:14. Jesus had a little challenge and Peter disappeared. The same Peter who the Lord had mightily invested on swore that he had not even set eyes on Jesus. Actually Jesus was few feet away when Peter denied Him the third time. 

What did Jesus do when He resurrected? He didn't swear never to greet Peter again. It would be a right thing for Jesus to immediately take his name out the book of life . Jesus did not do that , He forgave Peter. Jesus was so willing to forgive, despite the fact that He knew Peter was going to betray Him, He prayed for Him in advance.

Has anyone betrayed you? Has anyone promised to marry you or promised to be there and let you down? Has anyone taken advantage of your generosity and kindness? Brethren please let's forgive. Heaven is too precious to miss because of someone who let you down. Do you know that even before Jesus ascended to heaven he that to first eat with Peter? Eating with Peter was to proof that, He that nothing against Him and He had moved on from what happened. There is a reward for forgiveness , Peter (who was forgiven) later became one of the pillars in the church? The first sermon he preached, 3000 souls were won for Christ. The question is what if Jesus had not forgiven Peter?

PRAYER POINT :Father please help me so that unforgiveness would not rob me of your plans for my life.