"Face the Music" - Too

 "Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew." (John 18:27 KJV)

  "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." (Genesis 6:6 KJV)

 There are several things in this world that really never change; but the heart of man can only be changed by God, otherwise, it is as hard as a rock! This word, "Repented," that is mentioned in Genesis 6:6, is a very peculiar word. Most translations have interpreted it to mean, "Sorry," as if God was sorry that He had made man. Some have it to mean, "Regretted," as if God had regret, for ever having created man. 

 When I try to imagine the look that Jesus gave Peter, I really don't think it was a look of being sorry for or regretting of; or even repenting that He had choose him to be His disciple: I see a look of pity, or of comfort; of compassion for a friend! These are also words that are taken from the Hebrew word, "naham," which is the translation for, "Repented." 

 I heard a message yesterday that really broke my heart, regarding the words of Jesus on the cross, when He said, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) As the Pastor sharing this said: "Do you know what Jesus heard after He said that? Crickets! He heard nothing, because God had forsaken Him, and turned His back on Him!" 

 Talk about Facing the Music! Jesus took on everything, including being forsaken in our place, so that we would never be forsaken by the Father! That really made me think about how easy it is for us to turn our back on the people that we love! Maybe not literally, but in a moment, with a thought, in any situation or argument; because in our hearts, we had forsaken and turn away from them! Don't think that doesn't count, because it is causing callouses of hate upon our hearts! 

 This might not seem like the right thing to share about, but it is relevant to the message! When we have imagined these things within our mind and heart, we can become bitter towards someone without even realizing that it is happening. Each new incident or argument can become easier to react to, harder to absorb, or ignore the hate!  

 I am absolutely confident that Jesus looked at Peter with a look of compassion, to comfort him and to have pity upon him, as a friend...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things." (Philippians 4:8 KJV)