THE TWO DISCIPLES WHO FAILED (Matthew 27-28). The break from chapter 26 to chapter 27 might distract us from seeing how Matthew has juxtaposed the stories of the two disciples who failed: Peter (Matthew 26:69-75) and Judas (27:3-10). There will be no mention of either of them by name in the remainder of Matthews book. Yet something interesting happens when we read, almost at the very end, that “the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them” (28:16). We are used to hearing about “the twelve disciples,” so we pause for a moment and then remember, oh yeah, we lost two of them, Peter and Judas. But wait, since Matthew told us about two disciples who failed, wouldnt that mean that it should say ten disciples here? Why does it say eleven? Matthew has not given any indication of how Peter got restored, and as noted above, has not specified by name that Peter was present. But by the subtle detail of telling us that the eleven disciples met Jesus at the mountain in Galilee, Matthew has indicated to us that Peter came back. The last time we saw him in Matthews narrative, Peter had promised he would be faithful and had failed utterly, and was weeping in the alley. Yet somehow he was back: with no fanfare or special mention, but there with the other disciples, hearing the Great Commission from Jesus, and going on with the others to the ministry of making disciples, baptizing, and teaching (28:19-20). We have all failed our Lord, too many times to count. But even in our worst failures, even in the face of our most bitter weeping (26:75), there is nowhere else to go. Peter still managed to show up. Judas knew he had failed so badly, and executed judgment on himself. Peter knew he had failed so badly, and showed up again anyway. Thats the example we need to follow. We are so grateful, Lord, for the astonishing depth of your forgiveness. You keep taking us back, as long as we keep showing up. Give us grace, we pray, that we may yet learn diligence and faithfulness, to follow as your disciples.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 08:00:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015