Let Down
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
One of the most terrible feelings that a person has, is to have denied and disappointed a loved one. I am sure you understand what I am saying... Maybe you have let your wife down, maybe you have disappointed your husband. Maybe your child was waiting for you to come to that sports day and you just couldn’t make it... You feel terrible.
Now, remember Peter, chosen by God to lead the disciples, blew it badly.
If we look at Matthew 26:75 - after he had denied the Lord Jesus three times the Bible says he went out and he wept bitterly. Have you ever let someone down? You promised that you would be there for them but when the time came you did not pitch. “No, no - I am not getting involved.” Well, that is exactly what happened to Peter and that is exactly what he did.
But my dear friend, the wonderful news, the loving outcome was that Jesus did not give up on Peter and He won’t give up on you and me today. If we remember, the angel said to the woman at the tomb: “Tell the disciples and Peter to go to Galilee.” Mark 16:7. Why did he say, “Tell the disciples and Peter?” - Because he knew that Peter would never go. He felt so wretched that he had let the Lord down. That is why I love Jesus so much. He continually picks me up, dusts me off, forgives me and says, “Get back into the race.”
So what have you and I got to do this morning?
Just say: "Sorry Lord. We disappointed you, we disappointed our loved ones but we are not going to do it again..." and get back into the race. Remember, Jesus always backs the jockey and not the horse. You know, Peter never let the Lord down again after that. Legend has it that when Peter got crucified, he asked them to crucify him upside down. He said he was not fit to be crucified like his Lord and Savior.
Today, go out and remember it doesn’t matter what you have done. It doesn’t matter what you haven’t done - Jesus still loves you. Dust yourself off. Get back in the race!
Have a wonderful day.
God bless you.