191. He Wants You To Get Back Up

Luke 22:32

Let’s face it: Jesus knows you’re going to sin. He knows you’re going to stumble, fail, struggle and backslide. He knows you’re going to mess up about a kabillion more times before you’re finished with this life. Thing is, not only does Jesus know all that theoretically, but He knows it specifically. He knew every single sin you were going to commit before you were ever born. Jesus knows you’re not perfect yet, and that you’re going to be sinning the whole time. If you don’t know that about yourself, you’re the only one at that party. Here’s the really cool part of this seemingly bad news - Jesus is patient with you. He’s not mad at you, He’s not disappointed in you and He’s not shaking His head in disbelief, pointing His finger and saying, “You know, I really expected more of you.” This may come as surprising news to you, but Jesus doesn’t want to dwell on your sin. He wants to move past it. What Jesus is concerned about is not so much your sin, but the moments after your sin. Jesus wants to talk to you about that moment after you fall and fail. On the night Jesus was betrayed, Peter said He would die for Jesus. That wasn’t exactly accurate. Jesus told Peter, “You’re actually going to betray me three times.” But, before grief swept over Peter, Jesus said, “When you have turned, strengthen your brothers.” In other words, “I know you’re gonna sin, but there’s life after your sin. I have a job for you after you screw up. You’re going to fall. It’s okay. When this is over, get back up, because I love you and we have work to do.”