FALLING ISN’T THE END…?
I have always wondered of the significance of how at times our Lord addressed Peter as Simon, rather than always Peter? Simon was Peter’s name before he became a follower of Christ.
One day when in conversation with the Lord, Peter was asked, "…who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:18). Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (vs.16) Then the Lord gave Peter his new name: "And I also say to you that you are Peter…" (vs.18)
Perhaps Jesus was trying to help Peter see how close he was to falling back into his old life-style by calling him by his old name, for soon after, Peter denied Christ. Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, you are sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?" (Mark 14:37)
Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the man!"
And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows three times, you will deny me three times."
Then he went out and wept bitterly.
(Matthew 27:69,70,73)
Yes…Simon…had reappeared! And would have stayed forever had not the Love and Grace of God appeared to Peter and to us through the forgiving and encouraging Christ telling us otherwise.
Peter fell! Peter fell a lot of times! But Peter learned through experience that with grace and the help of God through Christ, that FALLING WASN’T THE END…IT WAS ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING!
Sometimes our former person before meeting Christ reappears and would stay forever if we allow it to be so. During these trying times I wonder if He is calling us by our old name to remind us of just how near we are to falling! And when He does and when we do…remember what Peter learned: FALLING ISN’T THE END…IT IS ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING!
