Do you live with Peter?

A few weeks ago, my Pastor Ronnie mentioned something that I guess never really sank in completely about Jesus.  He said, “Jesus in his humanity experienced every emotion and situation possible. There is nothing you are going through that Jesus will not understand.”  He continued, “Have you every stated to God, you just don’t understand!” 

Ok, I am guilty!  I have stated that mostly due to relationship issues said, “Do you see this God? What am I supposed to do with this?”  Etc.

So during my busy week, sorry it is true.  Working mother and wife, my weeks are busy!  I was contemplating these thoughts.  Wow, Jesus you experienced true heart breaks, sadness, death, despair and relationship woes.  I don’t think anyone of us would argue that his last week of humanity was the absolute worst!  But I was mulling over the mundane details of my life and situations periodically throughout the week I began to see the situations that might have happened. I wish I had more insight and could write a story, like Max Lucado when he writes about biblical characters.  I mean the four gospels include a lot of information, but do you think John wants to recount when he did something foolish in front of our Lord and Savior!  We have a difficult time admitting it, and we can’t see Jesus in the flesh but we know he is there.

I recently read an introduction to a book. Yes, a Christian Adult coloring book.  There I said it!  The introduction was marvelous, in fact so much so I copied and carry it with me.  The author is Margaret Feinberg and she is talking about a difficulty a friend is facing and she said but I just learned to “live loved.”  Wow, live like we are loved.  Most of us are blessed with family, friends, and acquaintances that love us, like us or put up with us.  But God always and forevermore will love you.  Live Loved, so I was in this reference of mind when I at church.

When we “live loved” we know that Jesus is with us. Immanuel.  He knows all and is always ready to listen and speak if you are still enough.  I was particularly flustered with a member of my family, who will remain nameless, I was in the shower and I just said, do you see what I go through, do you know what it is like to live with this person?  Suddenly, I heard “Did you live with Peter?”  The first thing I thought about is that Peter is usually represented as a loud, burly, rough fisherman those thoughts flooded my head.

I replied, “Wow, oh Lord, no but you did, and not only did you live with Peter but for several years you lived with 12 men.  Oh God, 12 men with their various habits, flaws, odors, personalities! Not only 12 men but you grew with a house full of siblings. Oh Jesus, no I guess you really do understand!  You know what I am talking about!! Oh Jesus, I am so sorry you had to put up with 12 stinky men!  And you are willing to put up with me!”

So the realization that Jesus not only put up with people who were educated, uneducated, moody, anxious, depressed, suicidal, mental unbalanced is very clear in my mind.  I like to think in terms of putting myself in that time period.  The dust, dirt, sandals, uncleanliness, etc.  We do not know much about the private meetings with Jesus and the disciples, but I bet if we really contemplated it, we could make a sitcom out of it!

Do you live with Peter? Do you live with Judas?  Jesus has and regardless who your Peter or Judas is…Jesus gets it!

by Aaron Smith
May 2016