Digging Deeper: The Gift of Wrestling
“You will never wash my feet,” Peter said.
John 13:8 (NLT)
THE GIFT OF WRESTLING
The second disciple to enter the story of the Last Supper is Simon Peter. Let’s take a minute to remember Peter. Some of his most well-known appearances in Jesus’ ministry include Jesus walking on water and Peter boldly stepping out with him (Matthew 14). He confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16). He was also present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17).
As the soldiers came to arrest Jesus before the crucifixion, his emotions reigned, and Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of a soldier. In John 6, when some of His disciples found it hard to follow and accept His teachings, Jesus asked the remaining disciples if they wanted to go away too. And Peter replies so authentically, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Peter believed Jesus was who he said He was. No doubt, he was one of the disciples closest to Jesus. Fallible as he was, he was a leader. He often spoke up first, asked all the questions, and imperfectly wrestled out his faith with Jesus.
I resonate deeply with Peter in many ways. When my mother died very unexpectedly, it was another tough loss in my life. Many days, I sat in the dining room digging into God’s Word and wrestling with the tension of grief and hope. One of her dear friends told me, “Sarah, to some, God gives the cocoon of grace. But God has given you the gift of wrestling. My conclusion is that the wrestling that drives us to Jesus is a form of lament, and lament is a sign of deep, strong faith.”
T.B. LaBerge once said, “The greatest tragedy in humanity is when we do not wrestle with God when we become so apathetic that we are but a limp rag doll in the hands of a mighty lover who wishes that we fight back; that we embrace Him and choose to find truth.”
In all the hard of my life, all the losses and confusion, I am learning Jesus wants us to bring our doubts to Him. He wants us to seek to know Him and gain a heart of wisdom. When the hardest days come, He wants us to cry out for help when all feels lost. Yes, Peter did it imperfectly, but the takeaway is that he did it. There’s beauty in wrestling Jesus to believe, dear friend. Do not miss it!
Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins. She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.