Groups quite naturally form within our sport teams. These connections, as in any group connection, can become honorably inclusive or devastatingly exclusive. If the group reaches out to others drawing them into the shared team effort, the group becomes an asset to the team. If, however, the group snubs or berates others because of poor performance, the group becomes a deficit to the team – a clique.
It is in this kind of situation that the “AND PETER” PRINCIPLE needs to be applied. When someone around us shows weakness, fails, doesn’t perform well, it is time for us to follow the example set by the angel at Jesus’ empty tomb when he told the women this...
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee.” Mark 16:7 NCV
The “AND PETER” directive broke through the barriers that had been formed by Peter’s poor performance . You see, Peter had betrayed Jesus going against the intentions of the group. Instead of snubbing him, taking him out of the loop or treating him as an outsider, the angel of God at the tomb made sure that Peter was included even though he had made some bad choices including collaborating in the death of Jesus.
Max Lucado writes about these two amazing “AND PETER” words..
“What a line. It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall—and it’s as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again.”
FAILURE DOESN’T MAKE A FLOP
It’s not every day that we find someone who will give us a second chance—much less someone who will give you a second chance every day! In Jesus, Peter found both and so can we. Jesus calls us to walk with Him today whether we performed well yesterday or not. He includes us again and again…truly the gospel of second chances!
. “ (Jesus) …wants to meet each of us at our point of need, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope. What we don’t deserve, He freely gives.” David McCasland
Blessings…as you practice the “AND PETER” principle helping others up when they fall the same way all of heaven helped Peter.
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