The God who serves

I listened to a lecture in a free online course of Hillsdale College on the religion of Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses. It was different from all other religions of the day. The gods of other religions required their adherents to serve them. But Abraham's God entered into covenants with his worshippers. He made promises which did not depend on the performance of those who believed in him. The blessings of other so-called gods were dependent on the sacrifices that were brought to them.

It reminded me of Jesus' words that he did not come to be served (Mark 10:45). I was also reminded of Peter's relationship with Jesus. At first he regarded himself to be too sinful to associate with Jesus (Luke 5:8). When Jesus told the twelve that he was to be condemned to death Peter reckoned he would not let that happen to Israel's Messiah (Matthew 16:22). He did not quite understand that the Father and Son had made this agreement long before (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:10; Revelation 13:8). To have known that would probably have caused him great anguish. This could be the reason why many people reject the good news message. In the words of Jordan Peterson: "I don't even know what would happen to you if you fully believed it".

My instinctual reaction to the idea that God would sacrifice his Son for my salvation is: 'That is cruel, I don't agree with it; if you cannot find another way to save me, I'll rather remain lost'. But I did accept his offer, maybe because I was desperate and saw no other way to a meaningful life. Peter came to the same conclusion.  He became so attached to Jesus that he would not leave him for anything in the world (John 6:67-69). Nevertheless, I have difficulty in believing how the Father can be compassionate, since it was his will for his Son to suffer like that.

Peter didn't fully grasp the implications of following Jesus, nor the love of God for him. When Jesus wanted to wash his feet, he first refused. Then, typical Peter, he went overboard and requested Jesus to wash his whole body (John 13:6-9). Yet, he still didn't quite know what was in his own heart when he swore to be loyal to Jesus even unto death (John 13:37). After he had denied to have known Jesus, he must have been utterly devastated. He could have reverted back to his initial reaction of feeling to sinful to be called a disciple of the Lord.

But Jesus dealt with Peter very gently. First of all Peter must have remembered that Jesus had prayed for him (Luke 22:32).  Then the women must have told him the Lord had wanted the disciples AND Peter to know they had seen him resurrected (Mark 16:7). Finally, the most persuasive gesture Jesus made to assure Peter of his reinstatement was in his final words of commission to tend his sheep and follow him (John 21:15-19).