By Jeff
Arnette How many times have you heard that
sentiment? I have often tried to follow those wise words but often I have
caught myself saying those dreaded words. It never fails that eventually I will
carelessly say it and it never fails, I almost immediately regret it. I have
often wondered why we use such ideas and why we inevitably regret doing so.
Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that “never” carries such huge
implications. To use the word “never” you have to be
positive about what you know and positive about every circumstance under
consideration. This requires a level of knowledge we simply can’t possess. We
are not omniscient and there will always be factors we hadn’t considered or
anticipated. Some things that are simply beyond our ability to know. When I
consider the phrase “Never say never” I can’t help but think of the apostle
Peter. Three times he uses the word “never” and all three times he was proven
wrong. The first time happens in Matt. 16:21-23.
In this section, Jesus is telling the disciples that he is going to Jerusalem,
will suffer many things, be killed, and raised again on the third day. Peter,
like the others, is shocked and confused by this revelation. In response, he
pulls Jesus aside and expresses his disapproval. Then comes the always
dangerous words, “this will never happen to you Lord.” Peter is in essence
saying, “it can’t happen to you” while also saying “I won’t let it happen.” The second time is found in John 13:8,
where Jesus is washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus intends to teach them a
lesson about humility and service to others, but Peter doesn’t understand this
yet. When Jesus gets to Peter, he refuses to allow Jesus, his Lord and teacher,
to wash his feet. For Peter, Jesus is far too important to allow him to wash
his dirty, stinky feet. That’s the lowly work of servants not the Messiah. He
literally says, “you shall never wash my feet!” The third time is found in Matt. 26:33.
Here Jesus is telling them, on the night of his betrayal, that they would all
fall away from him on this night. Peter again says those dreaded words, “I will
never fall away!” In each instance Peter didn’t know
everything he assumed he knew, and the words of Jesus proved to be true. What
can we learn from this? First, we learn to Never use the words “never.” Second,
and more important, we should learn that Jesus is always right. Even when it
seems to go against everything we think and feel, Jesus is always right. Third,
we should learn that Jesus is the only one who can use the word “never” and it
be correct. In Heb. 13:5 Jesus says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is a promise you can depend on because
Jesus said so! He will never you or forsake you. |
- Jeff Arnette preaches for
the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/ |
Sunday, December 11, 2022
“Never Say Never!”
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