Seeking Proper Approval
Part 90 - Luke 22:54-71 (ESV) - Pastor Tim Kroeker
Luke 12:4-5:
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.”
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We're all trying to impress someone. A young boy might want to impress his dad. A teenager might want to impress her friends. A young man looks to impress a girl he’s attracted to. I’ve tried to keep a nice lawn this year to impress my neighbors. We try to impress people because we want their approval. Yet, this can be a dangerous game to play. People’s opinions are pretty fickle.
As we continue in our salvation story, we read that the arresting mob leads Jesus back into the city to the home of the high priest, where the Sanhedrin, with their mocking soldiers, conduct a sham trial. In a remarkable twist, Jesus reveals to his interrogators that he is the one who will ultimately judge.
Meanwhile, Peter, who was following from a distance, is put on trial as well by a bunch of bystanders and wilts before the court of popular opinion. Peter is deeply ashamed as the Lord looks directly into his soul.
We are hardwired to desire approval. The problem is that we seek our approval in the wrong places. Rather than trying to impress others, we see that it’s preferable to seek approval from the only court that counts.
