Preparing for Easter: Grace
Today’s Reading: Matthew 26:30-35, 69-75
In 2001, a new favorite song was playing on my family’s entertainment system: “Grace” by U2. In the song, Bono personifies the Biblical concept of grace, God’s unmerited favor toward mankind, and he gives the listener a picture of beauty in the midst of brokenness.
“Grace…she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings…
Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things.
Grace finds beauty in everything.
Grace finds goodness in everything.”
Much of Christ’s ministry in the Gospels has a lot to do with pointing out how everybody messes up. When I read Peter’s story in Matthew 26, I see the reality of the gospel of Jesus at work in his life. Jesus knew why He had to come to earth – to save sinful people who would deny knowing Him in His darkest night. Jesus chose to die on the cross so that our multiple denials of Him could be forgiven. Peter denies knowing Jesus to two servant girls and an unnamed bystander! He swears with the strong language of a curse that he does “not know the man” Jesus! (Matthew 26: 74). Peter was broken and in need of grace.
Yet, the hurt, the friction, and the sting of Peter’s sins were one day turned into a beautiful life, all because of God’s grace. Confident of the forgiveness he had received from Jesus, Peter later shared with passion about the living hope he had because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1: 3).
God’s grace was the story of Peter’s life. Even when Peter disowned Jesus, Jesus was sympathetic of how Peter felt. Jesus knew his heart. He knew Peter had let fear and self-preservation get the best of him in those moments before the rooster crowed. Peter’s denial did not define who he was or eliminate the love Jesus had for him. As a result of experiencing this grace, Peter’s view changed of who he was before God, from broken to beloved.
Denial is a sin that resonates with most peoples’ experiences. When I worry about getting sick, I deny that God is Protector and Healer. When I am anxious about my family’s finances and I stress about the economic downfall related to COVID-19, I deny that God is Provider. When I am rude and impatient with family members, I deny the power of Christ at work in me to be self-controlled, compassionate and kind. These denials - repeated denials - are forgiven by Jesus even when I don’t deserve such grace. The beautiful truth is that Jesus came into this broken world to take on Himself the consequences of our sin. “Grace finds goodness in everything.”
The year this song was released was significant for my family because we were expecting a baby and we decided to name her “Grace.” Like Peter, she became friends with Jesus at an early age. However, through the course of her life, she has decided to deny knowing Christ, and only He knows the end of her story! For whatever reason, she is choosing to not be associated with Jesus as Peter did with the servant girls and bystander on the night Jesus was arrested! I’m certain that “she carries a pearl in perfect condition” because my daughter knows in her head the truth of God’s gospel, that Christ has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I hope that she will one day experience His grace on her behalf. That will take faith, so I pray for faith for her. I look forward to the day when she, like Peter, moves from broken to beloved.
As we approach Easter, let’s all consider the many different ways we each have denied Jesus. Do you worry about illness? Do you stress about financial stability? Do you deny Christ in fear or self-preservation? May we all confess our sins and accept the forgiveness we have been freely given in Christ. Let’s also consider the people in our lives who are currently denying Christ. Let’s pray for them, share His love with them, and put our confidence in His death and resurrection. His “grace makes beauty out of ugly things.” The opposite of denial is acceptance. Let’s pray that these people who God loves deeply would accept Jesus by trusting Him, embracing His grace, obeying His teachings, and following His way of life. “Grace finds beauty in everything.”
