PETER
"Peter, Do you Love Me?”
I was an apostle earlier, but what am I now?
I was a disciple earlier, but now I am an outsider...
I had victory, but now I taste defeat… I was Lost….. A touch on my shoulder woke me up from my trance.
A soft, consoling voice spoke to me; it seemed as if the voice had the power to remove my misery and to give back all that I lost... And asked “Peter, Do you Love me?”
It was in my youth, many years ago, during the days of the Great War, when all this started…
Hallelujah… Hallelujah… Victory in the name of Jesus…
The valley was echoing with our shouts of praise, we were marching through the rain over the mud and stones of some glacial remains for the past two days. Though our body was soaked by rain, our hearts leapt with joy. We knew in our hearts that victory greeted us in every battle we fought. I looked around at our vast army spread over every place my eye could glance. I felt confidence overcome me… Nothing could defeat us. “We are Unbeatable.”
Ephesians 6:13-17
I felt proud of our army as we marched. We were well prepared and ready for war, well trained and well equipped with the sharpest weapons that anyone could get hold of, the strongest armor to defend ourselves; more that anything else, we had the praise of Lord our God on our lips.
We were marching against the King of this world, who himself had a mighty army in his command. We counted on our meticulous planning and our strong and infallible leaders. Nothing could ever go wrong.
We entered the plains through an opening in the valley, news came in through the spies that enemy had anticipated our attack and is marching against us to wards the plains and would meet us by the next morning. We prepared ourselves - Tomorrow would be the greatest war this world will ever see. Arranging ourselves in formations, we brainstormed over war plans, checked and tested our machines and beasts of war. After this we raised our prayer to our God.
The next morning, we could see the enemy approaching us from far. Their horses and chariots raised dust that reached the clouds. We could hear the growling of the war dogs , neighing of horses and war trumpets fill the air
My commander lifted his scepter with a war cry. We reciprocated with ‘Hallelujah’ and tore our way towards the enemy. Our shields and swords glittered in the morning sun. We ran with all our strength, more so with the chariots and horsemen riding ahead of us.
The dark army was drawing closer and closer. Longbow men from the enemy ranks shot numerous arrows on us. The arrows of doubt rained on our heads. Many were hit and most fell, the rest of us kept going faster. We raised the shield of faith over our heads and forged our way ahead.
The enemy was approaching us like a flood of darkness. They wore dark uniforms and were huge and fierce. The sight filled my heart with fear. I looked at my sword, so that I may regain some courage, but the sight emptied what ever courage I had. The mighty glittering sword of the spirit had become rusty, blunt and thin, as I had not read the Word of our Lord for many days.
With Faith I continued charging at the enemy, but then, the lies I spoke came and loosened my loins and the people to whom I did not preach the gospel tore my shoes off.
I started to doubt if we would win at all! Immediately and arrow of doubt hit my shield of faith and the shield broke in two. The promises I made, my selfishness and my unrighteous deeds had stolen my breast plate. I stood facing the raging enemy with out anything to defend myself with. The enemy were only couple of feet away, an I could clearly see the red eyes and sharp teeth of the Bashan wolves running to tear me down.
My sword, breastplate, shoes, loin, shield and all that they stood for were lost. I turned to run but the wall of my pride blocked me. My faith in righteousness of my works had let me down. My strength was lost. The wall of pride stood between me and my escape.
Then I remembered the helmet of salvation… Jesus (the name means salvation). I wanted salvation from everything. I cried out to Jesus as loudly as I could. That same moment, I felt somebody touch my shoulder. I looked up and saw a kind stranger standing beside me. He had no weapons, but wore a long white robe. The wall was too high for any one to jump over. This stranger bent over for me , as I jumped over his back and shoulders and leapt over the wall.
I did not even wait to thank him, but escaped to life. When I had run a safe distance, I turned back and, saw that the evil ones had seized my friend. They tore his clothes, beat him mercilessly with a whip and his body had become like a ploughed earth. He who showed me mercy was not granted mercy. The enemy cast out lots for his robes, while cursing and spitting at Him. They hung him on three nails for all to see. He who gave me life gave up His own for me.
My eyes overflowed with tears that I could not see anymore, but I heard that friend’s last drop of blood gave sight to the one eyed soldier who thrust his sword at Him. I ran with tears in my eyes and anguish in my heart. My soul felt lonely, I killed Him because I loved myself more, He saved me because he loved me more than Himself.
I had life because of my friend, but now I had no friend. I was alone and my heart wept. I cried for the friend I lost and wanted Him back. I wanted my savior back. I would willingly be his slave.
A touch on my shoulder woke me up from my trance. I saw my friend and Master looking down at me.
A soft, consoling voice spoke to me; it seemed as if it had the power to remove my misery and to give back all that I lost... “Peter, do you Love me?” and He put his arms around me.