Day 308: Luke 22, 23 and 24

I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers (Luke 22:32).

 

In Jesus’ familiar pre-denial encounter with Peter, the Savior’s prayer is not that Peter won’t deny him, but that Peter’s faith will not fail. There is a time when pride is cracked – an incomplete brokenness that can draw us into ourselves – leading to bitterness and rejecting all offers of help. Then there is pride completely crushed by our own failure, when we can no longer pretend to be self sufficient. Though both are probably God-ordained, the former is just one stop on a downward spiral; the latter puts us right where God wants us.

This brokenness, where pride is shattered –  what Jesus in the Beatitudes refers to as being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) – leaves us nothing to stand on, empty and helpless, with no bargaining chips; our only hope to throw ourselves on the mercy of God.

That’s the kind of brokenness Peter is headed for, the kind of brokenness he needs. Pride demolished by failure is a gift God can use 1) to dethrone self; 2) to give God his rightful place; and 3) for ministry to others.

Christ’s prayer is that when Peter’s pride is shattered, his faith will somehow hold on, and drawing strength from God he will rise once more to his feet, and use his brokenness to strengthen his brothers.

Has your pride been cracked, or shattered? What now?