The prison cell and the dim light were but a shadow of the reality that existed. Confusion and doubt had crept in. Everything that had been built now seemed on shaky ground and ready to crumble. Were the labor and the effort of a whole lifetime in vain? All the preparation and hard work put in now seemed like it amounted to nothing. Was Jesus really the Messiah?
John the Baptist had been successful in his ministry. People from all around Judea came to be baptized by him. Some even thought that he was the Messiah. He was respected and honored by the people and Christ himself.
Then, he found himself in prison. He did not witness Jesus acts first hand anymore. People’s biased second hand picture of events and opinions on Christ was all he had to judge from. Soon doubts started creeping in as to the nature of Jesus. The agony and the doubt as to the reality of Christ and a lifetimes worth of ministry in question, was more than one could bear.
Peter had cursed and sworn that he never knew the Messiah. John started to doubt the very man he had prepared the way for. Given the height of John’s ministry and the closeness that Peter enjoyed, it would seem impossible to be forgiven and restored after all was said and done.
However, His love reaches to the highest of mountains and the lowest of valleys. The depth of His mercies and loving kindness is unfathomable. There is no circumstance or situation that Christ cannot redeem. His light penetrates and shatters all darkness. His love is uncondemning yet convicting. He heals all hurts and restores the broken dreams. His redemption is perfect and complete. He restored Peter’s faith and strengthened John’s.
Although John’s life ended soon after, Christ saw John as the greatest of all prophets to have ever lived till that time.
Peter went on to accomplish great things for God’s kingdom. He was greatly instrumental in the birth of the church and a pioneer in taking the gospel to the gentiles.
His epistles are a testimony to the truth that when Christ redeems it is perfect and complete. For, in them (epistles) he addresses with authority some of the very things that had led to his downfall.
Dear friend, do you feel lost and lonely? Does your circumstance seem impossible to redeem? Are you struggling with failure and hopelessness? Is the weight of sin ,guilt and shame constantly pulling you down? Be encouraged, there is no height, nor depth nor breadth to God’s love. He is more than able to forgive, redeem and restore you.
The bridge of grace will bear your weight. Thousands of big sinners have gone across that bridge, yea, tens of thousands have gone over it. Some have been the chief of sinners and some have come at the very last of their days but the arch has never yielded beneath their weight. I will go with them trusting to the same support. It will bear me over as it has for them. - Charles Spurgeon
(The thoughts of individuals in this devotional are speculative and may not have been their actual thoughts.)
