And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:62 NLT
Why was Peter so distraught, so beside himself that he wept bitterly, that he “cried and cried and cried” (The Message)? Because, when a roster began to crow, words Jesus had spoken to him came to mind, and they began crushing his heart. Peter was overwhelmed with grief as the guards insulted and beat Christ. Peter had a turning point in life.
There is, in God’s grace, something more than the blessed hope. What can be more important than eternity in the glory and presence of the Lord? What? An opportunity to embrace a turning point, a time to weep deeply, bitterly; a time to express love for Jesus where one cries and cries and cries.
Peter’s turning point ignited weeping into a ministry that burned, but was not consumed, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter did the unimaginable. What was that? First, Peter preached the inauguration sermon of Christ’s Church with such anointing, on the day of Pentecost, that over 3,000 were born again. Then, as his shadow was cast across the sick they received divine healing (Acts 5:15). Interestingly, Peter’s ministry officially began on Pentecost, the feast celebrating gratitude to God for the harvest; and Jesus spoke of the fields being ready for the harvest (Matt 9:37-38; Lk 10:2-3)—Peter’s Pentecost sermon was for that harvest reaped by the gospel’s salvation message. Peter’s turning point affected a multitude in his day and affects us today.
Have you realized a turning point? … Has your soul wept, bitterly cried out for the One betrayed, denied, tormented, and killed—Christ Jesus? You, Peter, and I all need salvation’s assurance; beyond that is our call to discover a turning point, a moment to weep for Jesus and for those needing Christ—that they too, may have their turning point.
Weeping and Turning,
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