Chapter 14 ~ The Crowing Rooster and Me

Have you ever gotten distracted by a person or topic and feel like you can't focus on the real topic that is right in front of you.

Well, confessions of a short man, this chapter did it for me...

So...

Before we start this little adventure through Chapter 14, let me share a disclaimer(s)...

1. Not everyone who reads this chapter will find help, especially because of the topic(s) Max uses as an illustration.
2. Since Max used this controversial topic, let me state the obvious, it is controversial.
3. I am sure that Max knew what he was doing before he wrote this chapter, but if you feel the need to contact him about his choice of illustrations, he pastors at Oak Hills Chapel in San Antonio, TX. I am sure the is a "contact us" tab on the churches website.

Now that I've shared a few disclaimers, I want to share a thought(s) a baptist minister shared with me a while back. It may shock you, so hold on to your hat.... I've included many different versions of this little passage hid in one of America's favorite chapters:

• Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. (NLT)
• Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. (NASB)
  
• Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (For those of us raised in a "real" church, KJV)
• Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (NIV)
• Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death. (for those who like paraphrases, MSG)

I could go on, but I think you see a pattern here.

Where is this blasphemy written?

In a few verses before this amazing passage preached on many a Mother's Day.... "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." You got it, right there in the mother of all motherly verses in Proverbs 31, stands in broad daylight this little truth... "all alcohol consumption is not forbidden."

Why would I bother with this introduction? Because you may be tempted to discount Max's words because he talked about his own ALCOHOL consumption while he was a PASTOR of a church. And you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice to get distracted by that detail.

Here is what Max REALLY wants to get to, the best of the best have failed, it's called sin. Their stories (Peter in particular here) are not an invitation to fail, it is an invitation to come home when you do.

What do you do when you find yourself giving in to a weakness? When you're struggling with a attitude or temptation that is overtaking you, do you find yourself feeling powerless? Do you struggle with guilt and/or shame and allow it to derail your walk with the Savior?

Max's message is so clear, no matter the level of failure, you would do well to recognize, grace can cover any sinful behavior.

Not only will it cover it, but will set you free. Free from the power of anything that would control your life.

These words jump off the page for me: "And if any doubt remains, lest there be any "Peters" who wonder if there is a place at the table for them, Jesus issues a tender reminder as he passes the cup. "Every one of you drink this. This is my blood which is a new agreement that God makes with people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive them their sins." ... Those who feel unworthy drink this. Those who feel ashamed, drink this. Those who feel embarrassed, drink this. ... (pg 119) ... The same Jesus who'd prepare a meal for Peter had prepared one for me. The same Shepherd who had trumped the devil trumped him again. The same Savior who had built a fire on the shore stirred a few embers in my heart." (pg 121)

Can I invite you to the table?

Is there any guilt/shame that you need to leave there?

Let Jesus, the Good Shepherd, do for you what he did for David, Samson, Abraham, Thomas, Peter and many unnamed. Let him run the accuser off and give your heart confidence, a sure promise that your sin cannot go beyond the place that it cannot be reached by grace.

Whatsa think?