Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Strengthen Your Brothers

Devotion

Read Luke 22.31-34. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” [33] Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” [34] Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Can you imagine a situation causing greater shame, angst, and horror than of being told by the Lord that you would betray him before the night was over? Can you further conceive of the kind of pain that Peter must have suffered after his fateful denial of the Lord–the unbelievable guilt and self-loathing, and the terrible despair. Yet, even in the face of this betrayal, our Lord had made provision for the restoration and return of the great Apostle. Jesus, knowing what would happen, even instructed him in what he would have to do after he had been restored from his terrible condition of guilt and condemnation. Jesus assured him not only of his betrayal, but also his return, and exhorted Peter “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus heaped no coals of condemnation upon Peter, held no recriminations against him, and refused to shame him for his cowardice and deception. Rather, he exhorted him to strengthen his brothers . Here Jesus provides a clear and compelling witness to the power and meaningfulness of restoration after a fall. The overarching point is not to shame or demean, not to insult or condemn. Rather, the purpose of restoration of the fallen brother is that the experience might so strengthen the fallen in order that they may be in a position to strengthen their brothers who are also prone to fall. We should be mindful of the fact the high priest had to be someone who could sympathize with the weaknesses and tribulations of the people, seeing that he was their advocate before the Lord. Just so, the man or woman of God must be a person who understands the power of restoration to restore, and the goodness of grace to be gracious. Here we are not demanding that the Christian leader sin in order to know the wonders of God’s mercy. Instead, we are saying that every Christian leader must know in their hearts and lives the same grace and care that Christ has for them in order that they can be vessels through whom he can work for others. It should never cease to amaze us, this matchless grace of our risen Lord, his willingness to care for us, even when we are undeserving of it, and then, after he has restored us, to give us a way to care for our brothers and sisters with the very same care with which he cared for us. Such is the wonder of the love of God in Jesus Christ. “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

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