I Will Give You a New Heart

 

To be honest, which means I'm being vulnerable with you…

We tend to hide the truth if it makes us look bad, weak, wrong, or—fill in the blank with your personal reasons.

I know I have. The truth is…

I've only shown y'all one side of me—the good side, the side you might want to associate with, or the side you can relate to. Maybe I'm not your best bud—we have only one or just a few—because being the BFF with someone is a niche, not a basketful of treats like we get trick-or-treating.

But frankly—yeah, that means I'm about to open up…

Got your attention now?

Yeah! What's the scoop with you?

Everyone loves (come on, admit it, you do, too) a bit of the inside story. Like, did anyone even consider that Robin Williams was in a chronic state of depression that began with his lonely childhood with absentee parents? He was undoubtedly the funniest guy on earth with the series "Mork & Mindy."

Yet, he represents the mask many of us wear to hide what is truly happening inside our souls.

So, let's be frank about losing a loved one—whether they have passed on to the other side or they are still with us, but the relationship is estranged.

Estranged.

Sounds strange.

But it's all too common.

People we love that don't love us.

And when they are blood relatives, that hurts the most.

What skewers the heart more than anything is when your son(s) and/or daughter(s) are estranged from you as a parent. It should be apparent that this topic is directed at the parent (pun intended). The focus of this topic is not a blame game to dissect and determine who's at fault.

Some of us, in some form or fashion, deal with what could be a debilitating problem for either parent or child or both.

This blog is not a study of the causes but a call for the supernatural healing of hearts. If you want to investigate why people become estranged from each other, you can google "What is estrangement between parent and child."

But so we are on the same page as to what I am referring to, this sums it up:

Estrangement refers to the breakdown or severe weakening of a parent's and child's relationship. This can result in little to no communication, emotional distance, and a lack of involvement in each other's lives.

We all make mistakes, regardless of how "holy" we think we are or whether we consider ourselves a "good" person. But we might need to be made aware of some of those mistakes.

And let's add in the "perception" of the person "perpetrating" the estrangement.

Big words: perception and perpetrating. Let's break down their meanings for the purpose of this blog.

Our perception of someone refers to how we view, understand, and interpret another person. Perception is subjective, as seen through the eyes of the person perceiving another. In other words, perception does not have to match reality.

What is "reality"? In essence, reality is the objective truth, while perception is the subjective interpretation of that truth. For example, two people might perceive the same event differently based on their unique perspectives, but the actual event (reality) remains the same. Our perceptions can be influenced by our beliefs, attitudes, and past experiences, which can sometimes lead to a distorted or incomplete understanding of reality.

The "event" might not have occurred or could have been contrived. In other words, it was made up or staged for a nefarious purpose to denigrate another person's reputation. For example, a divorced parent pits a child against the other parent.

You might see what this thread of thought is sewing: Estrangement can result in the death of a relationship that can be as grieving as losing the life of a loved one.

Which is worse: The grief of a departed loved one, but with the hope and belief to embrace them again in Heaven (assuming that you believe and have faith that Christ has redeemed your soul for eternal life with Him and other believers in Heaven).

Or

The grief of a parent or child estranged from the other, hoping for reconciliation but not knowing that it will ever occur regardless of what you believe or who you place your faith in—because God grants each and every one of us the power of choice. We can choose to love someone or not. Love is a heart issue.

This Bible verse that I read today caused me to muse on divorce, estrangement, death, and love. I hope it inspires you to:

forgive the person with whom you are estranged,

extend an offering of peace,

embrace with loving arms someone who returns after a period of absence.

 

Remember this: Hurt people, hurt people.

Be gracious and merciful with one another and show empathy and compassion to all, for although their situation may differ from yours, we all come from the same God, the I AM who made us in His image. Forgive one another just as God has forgiven you, and love one another just as God loves you.

 

The following is inspired by Ezekiel 35:26 and taken from the app The Bible Verse—

 

God is saying to you today:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.

The heaviness that you carry, the burdens that weigh upon your soul,

I will lift them from you and replace them with Peace.

I see the areas of your life where your heart has grown weary,

where Hope has faded and where the struggles of life have hardened you.

 

But know this, My Beloved,

I Am the God

Who transforms,

Who renews,

Who breathes life

into what seems broken.

 

Your heart, though it may feel as though it has turned to stone,

will be renewed by My Touch.

I am removing the barriers

that have kept you from fully experiencing My Love,

and I am replacing your heart of stone with

a heart of flesh,

a heart that beats with compassion,

a heart that is tender to My Voice,

a heart open to the beauty and goodness I bring into your life.

 

Do not be afraid of the change that is coming.

This renewal is not meant to harm you but to draw you closer to Me.

I am preparing you for a new season,

a season where your spirit will soar unburdened by the past.

You may not understand the process right now,

but trust that I am doing deep work within you.

I am reshaping you from the inside out,

creating in you a spirit aligned with My Will,

one that reflects

My Love,

My Peace,

My Grace.

                                                                                         

The struggles you've faced,

the pain you've endured,

I am using all of it to bring about something new.

What once felt lifeless

will now be filled with purpose.

What once seemed broken

will now radiate with wholeness.

As you walk with Me,

you will begin to notice the shift:

Your thoughts will be renewed.

Your outlook will change.

Your spirit will find rest in my presence.

 

This is my promise to you:

I am not only healing your wounds,

but I am also restoring your heart,

giving you a new spirit free from the burdens of the past.

 

Let go of the bitterness,

the resentment and the pain that hold you captive,

for I am replacing them

with Joy,

with Hope,

with Peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

This transformation is a gift from Me to you,

and it is rooted in My deep Love for you.

So, My Child,

open your heart to receive everything I am doing.

Trust that this is the beginning of a new chapter,

one filled with grace and renewal.

I am not finished with you yet.

There is so much more that I have planned for you,

and it begins with this new heart I'm giving you.

 

If you receive this message, comment: "God is giving me a new heart," and share this message with someone who needs to know that---

Transformation is coming.

Transitions - 1: A Walk in the Garden

“Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.”

Luke 22:40

Change. What causes it? Something that disrupts the present state that results in evolution from the “status quo” to a “state of flux” is a catalyst for change, for instance, the spark that ignites the first flame. During a “state of flux”—when life is fluid, moving, and changing—a series of transitions occurs when people are in between their “status quo” life as usual present and their “never experienced before” future. These transitional events change the lives of the people that the catalyst affects. 

            Transition. What is its importance? Transition is necessary to get from one stage in life to another. Without transition, there would be no “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another.” ¹ Without transition, the shock of moving from one set of circumstances to another would be too overwhelming, and yet, to effect change, a shock or catalyst must be placed in the present state system.

            Let’s look at Jesus’ transition from His earthly sojourn to His ascension into heaven, where today, He lives, reigns, and sits at the right hand of God.² The scene takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus often met with His disciples.³ All were present except Judas, who, having had Satan enter him, left Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper table and went to meet with the Jewish leaders to which he would betray Jesus.⁴ Jesus had often used the garden on the slope of the Mount of Olives as a place of solitude for prayer, avoiding the crowds of people continually following Him.⁵ So far, nothing unusual is happening; to the disciples, it’s a “status quo”—as usual—walk in the garden.

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went, as usual, to the Mount of Olives. There, he told them, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.” ⁶

—Christ, the catalyst

Transitions - 1: “A Walk in the Garden” is stage 1 of a 6-part series

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Praise Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved. 

1.   Webster’s Dictionary, italics added

2.     Luke 22:69, Acts 1:3,9, 2:30-36, 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, 

      Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:1-2, 1 Peter 3:22

3.     John 18:1-2

4.     John 13:2,27, 30, 18:3, Matthew 26:14-16

5.     Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, 9:28, 22:39-40, John 18:1-2

6.     Luke 22:39-40 

Steps of Redemption - 7: Restored

 “…strengthen and build up your brothers.”

Luke 22:32

The Adventures of Peter - Last Days begins with “Steps of Redemption - 1” posted on this blog.

This is the conclusion of that story...

I sat on the pier threading the rope and knotting it as I repaired the net, a tool of my trade, a fisherman of Galilee. The sun beat down on the dock, my face shielded by a wide-brimmed hat, a hallmark of those valued for their catch of the day. I instinctively prepared for the task at hand, a night of fishing with the band of brothers that now had a unique and precious bond—we had previously left our nets and followed a man we came to know as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,”¹ traveled with Him while He preached the Good News of forgiveness of sins, and experienced the prophecy fulfilling His earthly sojourn to His death on the cross and His divine resurrection three days later. These events were difficult to comprehend, and my understanding was limited only by my efforts to make things happen.² I had to surrender, to surrender to the Man of God, who we called Rabbi, our Teacher—Jesus.

Peter was a leader, respected among them for his take charge, prepared-for-anything attitude, and zeal to overcome any obstacle to achieving his goal. He would push them to fish during the cool night until dawn to fill their boat to capacity. Yet, as he mended his net in the heat of the day, all of this seemed so futile and unimportant. When his earthly journey ended, for what would he be remembered—Simon, the great fisherman? 

Peter—the chief leader who deserted and denied the Son of God—had failed the One he chose to follow, and the shame within him shook the foundation of faith that Christ acknowledged when He said, “Upon this Rock I will build my church.”³ Fishing for mullet seemed so much easier than becoming a “fisher of men,” as Christ had called him to be.⁴ He was looking forward to the still of the night and the gratification of the catch he anticipated, hoping that a return to the trade he knew best would help him make sense of the last few weeks … and the change he felt within.

 ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

When Jesus first appeared to the tight group of Believers that had encamped behind closed doors,⁵ the Son of God had already shown His glory to Peter—the first apostle to witness Christ resurrected from the dead.⁶ Peter had been the one to whom God had revealed that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,”⁷ and he had been singled out as the one first to restore the faith that had been “sifted like wheat” by Satan.⁸ Yet, although he believed in Christ’s resurrection and all of the power, miracles, and forgiveness that only the Father and the Son freely give, he still would not surrender to Jesus and allow Him to take from his heart his burden of desertion and denial—he had yet to repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness.⁹

His failure was in conflict with his pride. His weakness in the flesh was in a battle with his strength in the Spirit warring against the evil tormentors of sin. But a transformation began when he experienced Christ after His death and resurrection.  He was experiencing the dying of his pride—the death of his sin—as Christ breathed on him and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”¹⁰ The divine power that he felt growing within brought death to his sin and overcame his pride, now weak from the humbling experiences of brokenness.¹¹

◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

“I’m going fishing,”¹² Peter called out to the brothers who’d gathered on the pier throughout the day. He was ready to move on with his life—if he was a failure for Christ, he certainly wasn’t about to fail at his passion since childhood.

“We’ll come, too,” they all said.¹³ He wasn’t sure what their response might be. He no longer presumed his charge, not since the denial, but he was thankful that this band of brothers did not desert him as they all did to Jesus when they fled from the olive garden the night of their last supper with their Master.¹⁴ Maybe that was what kept them together—the remorse of leaving behind their teacher and friend. Misery sought company, and they all needed a night of camaraderie and fulfillment from a catch that filled their nets—but they caught nothing all night.¹⁵

Peter sat in the boat, his back against the gunwale as he contemplated this night void of any reward for their efforts. He had decided to head back to the pier, hoping to dock before daybreak, before any other fishing boat returned, to avoid the embarrassment of returning empty-handed. This was unlike their typical fishing expeditions, where they would return with a prize catch. His spirit was weary. The burden of failure he carried was taking its toll. The more he tried to shoulder it and overcome the hole in his pride by filling it with tried and true accomplishments, the less capable he proved to himself to lead and strengthen his brothers. They all were sullen and somber. A cloud of defeat hung over them like an overcast day.

The rocking of the boat as it rose and fell over the roll of the waves relaxed him. His head drooped to his chest, and he drifted into a nap before docking. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.¹⁶ Peter abruptly awoke as he continued to hear a still, small voice from within. I am praying for you. Repent and turn to me. Your faith shall not fail. Strengthen your brothers.

How long had he been napping?  It seemed like he had just closed his eyes, yet he could see across the sea as dawn’s light radiated on the horizon. This new day reminded him of a previous one where Jesus had used his boat to teach the multitudes congregating on the shoreline.¹⁷ It amazed him how, when Jesus spoke, all of them on shore could hear clearly every word He said as if He were standing next to each one of them.

“Friends, have you caught any fish?”¹⁸ Peter jumped up, startled at the break in the recollection of his memory due to the sound of a voice that seemed to come from just over the side of the boat. Looking to shore, he saw a man waving towards them. Several of the brothers yelled out to him, “No,” as they were about one hundred meters from shore.¹⁹ Yet the man’s reply came as if he were standing among them in the boat, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!”²⁰

Peter’s mind raced to the vision of the memory he had moments ago before this voice interrupted him. He pictured their Master in this same boat speaking to a crowd on the beach, and when Jesus  finished speaking, He said to him, “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish.”²¹

Without hesitation, he began to throw out the net over the right side of the boat, and as it sank beneath the clear water, they saw their net fill with a prime catch. At that moment, Peter and John looked at each other, their eyes wide with anticipation, their minds playing the same memory, the void in their hearts filling with their love for their Master.

“It is the Lord!” John said to Peter. Grabbing his tunic, for he had stripped for work, Peter quickly put it on and jumped into the water to swim ashore.²²

Standing on the beach dressed as a fisherman and with his own catch, the Master knelt down to stir the coals of fire, fish laid on it, and bread set to the side.²³

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said.²⁴

◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

The camaraderie and breakfast with their Master not only filled their appetite, but the once despondent disciples were now filled with joy. They gathered by the boat sorting out their miraculous catch, talking about memories together with Jesus among them. Laughter rolled from the bunch as Jesus and Peter remained by the fire, Peter poking absently at the coals with a stick, his thoughts focused on his dream on the boat and the still small voice saying, Turn to me.

Then Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” referring to the other disciples.²⁵ When Jesus asked him this, He was asking about the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies²⁶—unconditional love.

Without hesitation and answering Him with affectionate brotherly love, Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” ²⁷  His heart began to stir. But he heard a tormented voice in the back of his mind—I don’t even know the man! ²⁸—his first denial that he was one of Jesus' followers.

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.²⁹

Peter looked at his Master for clarification, a question on his face about the purpose of Jesus’ request. His thoughts conflicted with Jesus’ words.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”³⁰ This time, Jesus meant the love that one has for a brother.

Peter’s eyes grew sad as his mind took him to the courtyard of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where Jesus was first tried, and he heard himself say, I am not! ³¹ denying a second time that he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter fought against this memory, words of denial and emotions of shame, as his vision became blurry from tears beginning to swell in his eyes.

“Yes, Lord,” Peter paused as he cleared the lump forming in his throat, “You know I love you.”³²

“Then take care of my sheep,”³³ Jesus said looking into Peter’s eyes as He did that night when the rooster crowed. Peter saw in the eyes of Jesus—the Son of God that he denied knowing three times—the same compassion that He portrayed for him the last time they had broken bread together. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. These words of comfort floated through his mind.

A third time, Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”³⁴ Jesus reached out to him, touching his hand, and the same strength overcame him as it did that day when he sank beneath the waves of doubt and skepticism when he cried out—Save me, Lord! ³⁵ 

He felt the power of Christ lifting from him the burden of shame, the guilt of denial, the fall of defeat, and the sorrow of desertion. Peter let go of all that he had been holding onto out of pride and self-confidence that he could overcome this spiritual battle with his own earthly power. At that moment, he gave Christ the authority over his life, his destiny, and his mission on earth.  He felt the glory of God filling every inch of his frame as he blubbered, as tears of grief flooded his eyes, and as his heart cried out—Forgive me, Lord!

Sobbing, he said, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”³⁶

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. The truth is, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”³⁷

The Rock was restored. The baton was passed. And now it is being passed to you. What, then, will you do to follow Christ?

◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

“ I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”³⁸ —The Risen One

* * *

  “The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”

This story is Step 7 of a 7-part series.

Previously posted:

Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled

Steps of Redemption - 2: Vulnerable

Steps of Redemption - 3: Broken

Steps of Redemption - 4: Comforted

Steps of Redemption - 5: Singled Out

Steps of Redemption - 6: Believed

* * *  

 Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

* * *

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved. 

Verses marked NKJV are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. 

1.     Mathew 16:16

2.     Luke 24:45

3.     Matthew 16:18

4.     Matthew 4:19 NKJV

5.     John 20:19

6.     Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5

7.     Matthew 16:16

8.     Luke 22:31

9.     Luke 22:32

10.   John 20:22

11.   Romans 6:5-11

12.   John 21:3

13.   John 21:3

14.   Matthew 26:56

15.   John 21:3

16.   Luke 22:32

17.   Luke 5:3

18.   John 21:5

19.   John 21:8

20.   John 21:6

21.   Luke 5:4

22.   John 21:7

23.   John 21:9

24.   John 21:12

25.   John 21:15

26.   Strong’s Concordance, KJV, pp. 1587.

27.   John 21:15

28.   Luke 22:57

29.   John 21:15

30.   John 21:16

31.   John 18:17, 25, 27

32.   John 21:16

33.   John 21:16

34.   John 21:17

35.   Matthew 14:30

36.   John 21:17

37.   John 21:17-19

38.   Matthew 28:18-20

Steps of Redemption - 6: Believed

 

“…and turned to me again…”

Luke 22:32

The Adventures of Peter - Last Days begins with “Steps of Redemption - 1” posted on this blog.

I had not moved from the position in which I had been praying since arriving home from the tomb where Jesus had been laid just three days before.¹ Mary Magdalene discovered the tomb was empty and reported what she had seen firsthand and heard from the angel: “Peter! Jesus has been raised from the dead! He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” ²  

Kneeling on the stone floor, my head resting on folded hands propped up on a bench by the fire I had made. There is hope!

My mind played back to the events that led up to my run with John to the tomb—   

The night before the first day of the week, John and I took turns praying continuously in the upper room where the Twelve of us last supped with the Son of God  This familiar place brought comfort for our congregating after experiencing the most gruesome and tortuous eyewitness account of Jesus’ trials, torture, trek, testimony, and death  We were in awe of Jesus’ grace and mercy as he hung, nailed to the beams, looking down upon the crowd, saying, “Father, forgive these people because they don’t know what they are doing.” ³ Jesus’ words humbled me to the point of brokenness.

Peter wrestled with the thoughts of his erratic behavior over the past four days. He was frustrated with his rash actions in the garden when he struck the high priest’s servant with his sword⁴ and then fled.⁵ He felt demoralized by his spiritual vulnerability and the resulting disloyalty when he denied knowing his Lord three times.⁶ He was not the stalwart, invincible leader he promised to be for the Twelve.                

He recalled the boasts he had made⁷—after they had broken bread, given thanks, and passed the cup⁸—when they argued about who was the greatest amongst them.⁹ Jesus put their pride in perspective when he humbled them, saying, “In this world, the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” ¹⁰

At that moment, he thought of Jesus and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.¹¹ What was it about John with which Jesus so identified? John was the youngest and by far the most trusting and loving of the Twelve. Jesus favored Peter, John, and his older brother James in His demonstration of signs and miracles, and Peter as the leadership of this band of brothers.¹² Yet he, Cephas—the Rock¹³—routinely blundered in his self-appointed role as their leader.¹⁴ 

Peter’s mind looked back to his first confession of Chri t. He felt the pride he had experienced for being the one to answer Jesus’ question to the disciples traveling with Him, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Before his mind had even considered the question, Peter had answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁵ It was not of his own thinking, but as Christ himself acknowledged, “You are blessed, Simon, son of John because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” Then Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone¹⁶—not that Jesus feared for His life, but rather, that He did not want to lose a single one of them¹⁷ on account of their confession. Peter recalled Jesus’ explanation, “For I, the Son of Man, must suffer many terrible things. I will be rejected by the leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. I will be killed, but three days later, I will be raised from the dead.” ¹⁸       

Then I heard these words as if Jesus was standing next to me now in this room of my home: If you want to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.¹⁹  At that instant, I realized that my pride and self-confidence kept me from knowing and loving Christ the way John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, so willfully portrayed.

Again, I heard Jesus: The leaders who are served are the most important in your eyes, but in the kingdom, it is the servants who l ad. Am I not here with you as one who serves?²⁰ 

I sat in the chair by the fire, humbled by the words of my Master, my Teacher, my Lord. Suddenly, I saw him—Jesus!—washing my feet. Tears of humility flowed, and I cried out, “I am not worthy to be in Your presence, Lord, for I shamed myself before you and the others when I denied that I am one of Your disciples.” And then Jesus said to me, “So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!” ²¹

 

Then Jesus, knowing what Peter was thinking,²² held out his hand, the scar of the nail that pierced his arm evident to the disciple on whose faith He would build His church²³ and said, “Don’t be afraid! From now on, you’ll be fishing for people!” ²⁴ Jesus’ comforting words took his thoughts to the place where He had initially called Peter to follow Him,²⁵ and the gesture of Jesus’ hand reaching out to him filled his heart with the saving grace of his Lord when he became afraid while walking on water and sank beneath the waves.²⁶

 

Peter took Jesus’ hand, touching the scar of sin and the hand of forgiveness, which then, lifting Peter up, delivered Peter from the sifting of Satan.²⁷ Jesus said, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” ²⁸ Peter now understood why Jesus had washed his feet.²⁹ 

 

I have yet to give you your cross to bear. As this thought crossed his mind, Peter heard Jesus continue, “But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.” ³⁰

I closed my eyes and pictured John ahead of me, both of us running, full of anticipation of what we were told we would encounter at the tomb.³¹ Mary Magdalene’s voice rang in my head: “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!” ³² I saw the tomb as clear as if I were there right now: the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head, folded by itself, separate from the linen.³³ 

When I opened my eyes, I was the only one in the room … and I believed.  

* * *

  “The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”

This story is Step 6 of a 7-part series.

Previously posted:

Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled

Steps of Redemption - 2: Vulnerable

Steps of Redemption - 3: Broken

Steps of Redemption - 4: Comforted

Steps of Redemption - 5: Singled Out

* * *  

 Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

* * *

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois  189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation^®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.  

1.     John 20:10

2.     Mark 16:6-7

3.     Luke 23:34

4.     John 18:10

5.     Matthew 26:56

6.     John 18:17, 25, 27

7.     Matthew 26:33, 35; Mark 14:29, 31; Luke 22:33; John 13:37

8.     Luke 22:17-19

9.     Luke 22:24

10.   Luke 22:25-26

11.   John 13:23

12.   Matthew 17:1-2; Luke 8:49-56

13.   John 1:42

14.   Matthew 14:28-31; 16:22-23, Luke 5:5-9, John 18:10-11

15.   Matthew 16:16

16.   Luke 9:21

17.   John 17:12

18.   Luke 9:22

19.   Luke 9:23 

20.   Luke 22: 

21. John 13:17 TPT

22.   Mark 2:8; Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8

23.   Matthew 16:18

24.   Luke 5:10

25.   Matthew 4:19

26.   Matthew 14:30

27.   Luke 22:31

28.   Luke 9:24

29.   John 13:7

30.   Luke 22:32

31.   John 20:3-4

32.   John 20:2

33.   John 20:6-7