JUNE 7, 2022
ON THE PORCH
STRIKE THREE
“7 MILES PER HOUR. We are serious about this.”
Sierra and Brandon moved to a new residence near Forth Worth after she got married. They wanted something of their own instead of spending money on an apartment, so they bought a used RV. When we took their camper, dropped it off and help set it up, they were in the office signing papers and going over the park rules with the staff there. Sierra told us they emphasized the maximum speed limit is 7 mph, and Brandon saw a radar gun by the door.
We understand why the RV park wants people travelling slow. It is to keep the residents safe, but it still struck us as funny, and we all had a laugh. As we drove out, I saw this sign and Benny had to stop for a picture. They had the speed limit posted every few hundred yards, so ignorance could not be a defense if caught.
A week or so later, a friend of theirs was visiting one morning, and his speed exceeded 7 mph. He got pulled over by a golf cart and was advised to slow down. Because he then pulled into Sierra and Brandon’s driveway, Brandon got a phone call from the front office with a stern warning and a “strike.”
Sierra called to relay the phone call Brandon received. “We just got our first ‘strike.’ ”
“What is a ‘strike?’ “ I asked.
“Like, three strikes and you’re out, Mom.”
Benny tells a story of a man picking up his mail-order bride. On the way home, the mule stumbled. The man went around and looked the mule in the eyes and said, “That’s one.” Eventually, the mule stumbled again, “strike two.” The third time the mule faltered, the man pulled out a pistol and shot it. Incredulously, the new bride got irate with her new husband, because now they would have to walk the rest of the way home and carry supplies. She let her frustration be known loud and clear. The man simply looked at her and said, “That’s one.”
That is just a sermon illustration, and Benny and I like to use this phrase on each other in good humor…”that’s one.” But all joking aside, I TRULY thankful God doesn’t have a “three strikes and you’re out” policy.
**Peter said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know Me.” Luke 22:33-34
Not only was Peter one of the twelve in Jesus’ inner circle, but he was one of Jesus’ three best friends. Sometimes, when Jesus would leave the crowds to be alone, He would call Peter, James, and John to join Him. So, this statement made no sense to Peter. “I will follow You to death, LORD.”
**Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the LORD turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62
Peter messed up big time, in front of God and everybody. Just as Jesus warned, Peter emphatically denied knowing Him three times. When the rooster crowed, Jesus turned to look at Peter. Not only did Peter refute others when they tried to connect him to Jesus, He was also within hearing distance of our LORD when he did it. When the rooster crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. That must have been the moment Jesus’ words hit Peter and his heart broke into a million pieces. There were no do-overs, the damage was done.
When I read those verses this morning, I could visually see the look on Jesus’ face when He turned to look at Peter after being rejected by closest, most trusted friend. At that moment, Jesus was totally and utterly alone. No one on this entire earth had His back. It is easy to blame and shame Peter, but I do the same thing sometimes. It just isn’t recorded for all humanity.
Now let’s fast forward to after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast on the other side. Their nets filled, and they realized it was Jesus who spoke. I can imagine Peter dropping everything and jumping out of the boat to get to Jesus faster. He was the impulsive, impetuous disciple, and he had a lot to make up for.
**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.”
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.”
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. John 21:15-17
Jesus knew the level of shame Peter felt. The wounds he had inflicted settled deep in his soul and broke his heart, and he could not take them back or change that fact.
Jesus not only asked Peter once, but three times if he loved Him. Peter was hurt and replied as such. I think as Jesus intentionally asked each time, He was replacing Peter’s denial with His forgiveness. He was overlaying Peter’s words with His own, applying three spiritual pieces of gauze to cover and heal those wounds.
Many times, I make decisions that hurt my relationship with Jesus. Sometimes I am disobedient because of selfishness or pride, and sometimes it might be because I have not made good decisions and built a defense ahead of time. Either way, sin is sin, and it breaks my Savior’s heart. In those moments of regret and guilt, I can either dwell on my sin and allow my soul to rot, or I can ask for forgiveness and strength to not repeat those actions. Jesus promises to forgive if we ask Him, and truly mean it.
When I read Peter’s account and interactions with Jesus, it gives me hope. Jesus reinstated Peter and gave him an assignment for moving forward. After being forgiven, Peter never denied Jesus again. He accepted the forgiveness Jesus extended, and with his clean conscience and new mission, Peter never looked back. He was a huge part of the early church and the spread of Christianity.
In moments of shame and remorse, I have hope that I, too, like Peter can be forgiven, and not allow sin to conquer me next time. If I simply ask, turn from those wicked ways, and accept the grace He offers, he gives me a way to move forward and serve Him.
LORD, I know sometimes I mess up and break your heart. Forgive me when I fall, please lift me up as you did Peter and remind me that I am Yours and can make better choices next time. Allow me to accept the pardon You offer and walk in freedom. I want to serve You, not me. Thank You for including Peter’s story in Your Word to give me hope that I truly can do better next time. Thank You for not having a “strike three and you’re out” policy. Remind me it is easier to do the right thing to begin with than to try to fix it later. Thank You for being so willing to love me, even at Your own expense and shame. Give me courage to witness without looking back, like Peter did. Thank You for those who do not give up on us even when we mess up and who speak into our lives and walk us through the tough times. In Your Precious Name, amen.
**”Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
FORGIVEN BY SANCTUS REEL
P.S. Brandon called the front desk later and apologized for his friend’s actions. They changed it to a verbal warning, and hopefully that will be the only “strike” the kids ever receive.
ON THE PORCH 