Face to face

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At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter… — Luke 25:54-62

I wasn’t sure how the young man was going to react. Getting caught in a bald-faced lie is not a great way to start the day.

To make matters worse, he was lying about not stealing. There he was guiltier than guilty, having just broken two of the top 10 commandments.

His face went flush and he mumbled something as he walked away. He never did own up to what he had done and certainly never made restitution. I wish he would have, for his sake not mine.

Jesus’ friend Peter knew what it felt like to be called out for failing.

He lied three times about not knowing Jesus. It was a tough spot to be in. I get it.

Jesus was just arrested. His friends were on the run. He had no idea what was about to happen and what that would mean for him.

He panicked and lied, three times. The rooster crowed. It was the signal Jesus had told Peter about a few hours earlier.

It was then that Jesus turned towards Peter and their eyes locked in on each other. Peter ran away and wept.

We’ve all been in similar moments. No place to go. No place to hide. Guilty and under the spotlight.

Peter grieved his sin. Jesus died for his sin.

The Bible tells us that Jesus and Peter had another face to face. Jesus showed Peter grace. He re-extended his call on Peter for a life of ministry.

There are many ways to deal with our sin. We can run. We can deny. We can make excuses. We can rationalize.

Freedom from sin, however, is only found in one place — a face-to-face with Jesus.

Proper perspective

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. — John 3:22 – 4:3

Few things warp a person’s perspective like a crowd.

We’ve all witnessed the crash and burn of those who in some way or another have amassed a crowd and weren’t able to keep grounded.

We’ve seen many desperately try to keep their name in lights, finding the spotlight absolutely irresistible.

In all spheres of life, the crowd pulls and the person splinters.

From movie stars to politicians to athletes to church leaders to business leaders, the siren song of applause has led many to shipwreck.

John the Baptist had people around him who were struggling with the love of crowds, but John himself did not.

How was that possible? How did he slip off center stage and rejoice that it was happening?

In a word, perspective.

John knew who he was.

John knew who Jesus was. He was the warm-up band and praised God for the privilege.

God gives to each as he sees fit.

True joy and fulfillment come from embracing all that God has created us to be and do for his purposes.

The size of the crowd really doesn’t matter.

Do we have any crowd-hunting going on in our lives today?

The acknowledgement of other people can trip us up as fast as anyone else.

If we aren’t careful, we’ll be working for anything and everything else other than the glory of Jesus.

Our lives on planet earth are nothing more than a blip within the timeline of eternity.

Only capital “K” Kingdom investments have eternal staying power.

Knowing what those investments are and having the power to make them are exclusively found in a humble, daily walk with the divine audience of One — Jesus.

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.