Luke 22:32 "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (ESV)
What powerful words from Jesus. Going to the cross, speaking to one of his closest, Jesus acknowledges that Peter will turn his back on him. Though Peter can't believe it, Jesus knows the denial is near--three denials in fact.
This translation is telling. You can imagine in your mind what happens. Peter literally turns his back to Jesus. As soft as we would like to make sin to be...as quick we are to justify sin...it is always a turning of our backs to Jesus. We like to categorize them as big sins, or little ones, or whatever. In truth, our sin is turning our back to Jesus.
Jesus says here, however, that Peter will turn back to Christ. Jesus knows he will sin, but also knows Peter's heart. Jesus knows Peter will turn back to the Savior. And when he does, he will not find a slap in the face or a kick in the side or a brow-beating. He finds himself not as useless, but as useful to strengthen the brothers.
Sin is serious. It is turning our backs on Jesus. There is no justifying it. There is no excuse for it. There is not even any sympathy after the fact. But one thing is certain. When we turn to Christ, He turns to us (James 4:8). When we turn to forgiveness, we find forgiveness. When we turn to grace, we find grace. When we turn to Jesus, he supplies our need. But notice, Jesus supplies it not ONLY for us. We are to strengthen the brothers.
Sin's guilt usually leaves us so damaged that we feel useless. Unfit for usefulness. The fact is, however, that no one has a greater platform to witness of the grace of God than those who have experienced the grace of God. Righteous prudes are not good preachers--only judges. Sinners saved by grace are not hypocrites--they are witnesses of the riches of God's grace.
License to sin? Of course not. License to serve? Definitely. How can you strengthen a brother or sister today?
