An Unexpected Interruption

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying–I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster

crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even knew me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26:74-75

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Your life wasn’t supposed to be disrupted by a pandemic. You

weren’t supposed to work from home, lose your job, or lose a loved one to an invasive virus. Your

wedding was not supposed to be postponed. Your baby shower, that you were excited about, was

not supposed to be cancelled. Your college graduation party, your daughter’s sweet sixteenth

birthday, your senior prom, your child’s 4th grade talent show, your first year of teaching, or your

high school graduation were not meant to pass by without closure and celebration.

Life’s endings and new beginnings look a little different now. In this incomprehensible time, it is

natural to feel unseen, unacknowledged and uncelebrated. However, we are not alone.

If there’s anyone who knows what it is to feel unseen, unacknowledged, and uncelebrated,

it’s Jesus Christ.

On his way to the cross, Jesus knew that Peter, and many others, would deny him. Peter told two servant girls and a bystander that he did not know Jesus. Matthew 27:74-75 tells us, Peter swore, ‘A curse on me if I’m lying–I don’t know the man!’ And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even knew me.’ And he went away, weeping bitterly.”

Jesus, the man who healed the sick and saved the lost, the man who walked a perfect, sinless life was denied by the people who knew him best! Jesus, then and now, knows what it feels like to have the most important moments in life uncelebrated and dismissed.

When reading about Peter, I was prompted to ask myself, ‘Have I denied Jesus in any way?’ I admit that I’ve been so overcome by my worries and concerns that I have denied Jesus access

to my heart.

There are days when I’ve replaced my faith with fear. I’ve denied Jesus of what he

wants most: to love, heal, and comfort. I am reminded of His love in Romans 8:31-32: “What shall

we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since

he did not spare even his own son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything

else?”

In the world right now, where nothing is normal, we are left with questions for the future and pain from what has been taken from us, our family, and our friends. But Jesus knows and has felt our sorrows on a much grander scale. When we feel unseen, uncelebrated and unacknowledged, we can trust that Jesus sees us, he celebrates us, and he, always and forever, acknowledges us.

We must also remember that Jesus is the reason we have those celebrations and

blessings in the first place; everything we receive is not by our accomplishments but by

the grace of Jesus Christ.

So, today, in the midst of the unknown, the fear, and the cancelled plans, I pray we all focus on

the truth that we are not alone. We are loved, and we have a Savior who wants nothing more than to celebrate his sons and daughters. I pray today that we would choose faith over fear and give Jesus full access to our heart, mind, and soul. No matter our circumstances, let him love you, and love him back.

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CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever felt unseen, unacknowledged, or uncelebrated? How did you overcome this feeling?

2. Share some of the blessings and celebrations that you are looking forward to experiencing after this time of isolation is over.