EXPECTATION

Rejection and disappointment are two of the major culprits for causing a poisoned sprit. Both Jesus and Paul understood the need for people who were receiving rejection to experience the opposite, both from people and God, if they were to be healed and restored.

After Peter had denied Christ three times, (just as Jesus said, ‘before the cock crows’), he told the others he was going ‘fishing’. This was a return to his previous life He was on a backward journey. His heart had been so disappointed in himself, and in Christ. He ad previously had every confidence that he would easily eclipse the devotion of the other disciples under pressure. He was sure he would never deny Christ. He had even announced his superiority of commitment to Jesus in front of the other disciples;

Matt 26:33-34 “Peter declared, ‘If everyone else deserts you, I won’t.’ Jesus told him, ‘The truth is that this very night, before the cock crows at dawn, you will deny me three times!”

We set ourselves up for a fall as soon as we become conceited in our opinion of ourselves. We also set ourselves up fro disappointment when we have expectations on ourselves that are too high. Expectations can come from:

• What others expect of us
• What we imagine others expect of us
• What we think God requires of us
• What we expect of ourselves

Peter had failed Jesus, and himself, and the others. They were all discouraged over their seemingly fickle commitment. Not one had seemed to remain as true as they would have liked. Yet the Healer of the broken heart knew that Peter needed some attention. This wound to his spirit needed to be resolved.

When Jesus appears to the disciples on the shore, he exposes the wound and then heals it by asking Peter if he really does love Him (more than the other disciples) He asks him three times, and each time reassures Peter of His love for him, and his acceptance with God, and that a great purpose still awaits him. When the interview was finished Peter was healed, yet this was not what we could call a supernatural, miraculous healing. It was the healing that happens when we know we have failed, yet we are still loved and accepted by God. This in turn helps us to accept and love ourselves in a healthy way.

Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments below or over on my facebook page!

See you in Church!