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Lenten Lesson -- We're all a little like Peter
The Rev. Jon Albrecht looked out on a sea of 94 faces, all remarkably similar to the visage he painted of the Apostle Peter, Friday afternoon during the second 2011 Community Lenten service at First Congregational Church.
Albrecht, pastor of McCook Harvest Church, believes that all who follow Jesus Christ can relate to Peter's experience on the night of Christ's betrayal.
"Who hasn't made rash promises to the Lord?" he asked. "And who hasn't caved under pressure?"
Peter's story, related in all four gospels, when finished, gives hope, Albrecht said. It's not just a story of a sad denial, it is ultimately a story of forgiveness and of restoration. "It brings to light the promise that God can use those who come to be forgiven, those who come to be restored."
Peter is first seen following "from afar" the multitude that had arrived in the garden to take Jesus into custody as they proceeded to the home of the high priest.
"Peter kept his distance, lest he be recognized and arrested," Albrecht said. Only a short time earlier Peter had vehemently promised to follow his Lord, even if it meant imprisonment or death.
How many here "follow Christ's from a distance," he mused. "How many 'closet Christians' are out there -- people that are afraid of being labeled a 'religious nut,' a 'fanatic' or any other of a number of derogatory names?" That was Peter's position on this night of betrayal and fear.
Albrecht allowed, "When we follow Jesus, we're putting ourselves at risk of persecution."
In fact, Albrecht continued, Jesus promised persecution more than once. Albrecht cited John 15:18-21 where Jesus says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me."
This is comfort here, Albrecht maintained. "The price (of persecution) is not greater than the promises. When you stand up for what you believe, God uses you."
Returning to Peter, Albrecht is impressed that he is still following, even from a distance.
"It took a certain amount of courage for Peter to enter that courtyard," he said, noting that Peter's courage was accompanied by terror.
"He knew that he could be recognized, accused and arrested at any moment," but he stayed.
And sure enough, before too much time passes, a servant girl accuses, "This man was also with him!"
Peter denies her charge, "Woman, I know him not!"
Only a short time later, a man chimes in with "Thou art also one of them!"
"Can people see that you're a follower of the Lord? That you've spent time with the Lord?" Albrecht questioned. If they can, there are only two sure responses. "Some will embrace your visible faith. Others will hate it."
Peter has yet one more accuser to face. With each one his denial has grown stronger. According to Albrecht, the word denial in the Greek can be translated: not true; to disclaim; disassociate, to repudiate; to disown.
"I never knew the man!" Peter says emphatically to the third accuser.
"Peter disowned the Lord," Albrecht said. "We also are unfaithful," he warned. "Sometimes, our lifestyle belies our faith. At other times, we get out there in the world and we feel isolated, even afraid. Sometimes, it's simply easier to just give in to the peer pressure rather than face people's disdain.
Albrecht admitted he faced a measure of persecution after becoming a Christian at age 12.
"The other boys couldn't understand why I didn't want to talk about sex or go out and drink." Throughout his school years, he silently endured their taunts, "constrained by the love of Christ not to retaliate."
Years later one boy who had been particularly hard on him in front of the other boys called to offer a sincere apology for his actions. "He was my friend if we were alone," Albrecht explained, "But if the other boys were around, he would lash out at my faith."
"You may not think people are watching what you do, what you say, in fact, you may never know until heaven reveals it that you've had any impact at all.
"Stand up for Christ," he said. "God is using you."
Rejoining Peter in the courtyard, Albrecht continued with the narrative in Luke:
"Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."
God was calling him to stand up. But Peter was thinking of the here and now, Albrecht said. "He wasn't thinking 'eternally,' he was literally in fear for his life." But when he saw Jesus and remembered the prophecy he had earlier scoffed at, he regretted every word.
Initially, Albrecht said, "Peter is overwhelmed by grief. But he didn't stay there and wallow in self-pity.
"God can't use self-pity," he continued. "But God can use a repentant heart, he can restore a repentant heart, and he can use that restored heart as a means of restoring other hearts.
"He did with Peter," Albrecht said. "Remember the day of Pentecost where Peter preaches the message of repentance and 3,000 were saved as recorded in the second chapter of Acts."
Ultimately, Peter does follow the Lord, both into prison and into death, where tradition teaches that he was crucified upside-down, proclaiming himself unworthy to die the same way his Lord had died.
We all have a little Peter in us, Albrecht said, "If you've been compromising your faith, ask for boldness today, offer a repentant heart that God can restore and use."
The Rev. Bruce Lester, pastor at McCook Christian Church, served as worship leader. Joyce Hershberger served as organist and Alicia Ulmer sang "He's Alive." Members of the McCook Harvest Church served the luncheon following the service.
The Rev. Clark Bates, pastor at McCook Christian Church, will deliver the message "The Crowd Chooses Barabbas" Friday, 12:05 p.m., at First Congregational Church as the annual services continue.
A free will offering is accepted at the entrance to the sanctuary to support the ongoing work of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association and a second offering is accepted in the fellowship hall to help offset the cost of the food for the luncheon.