Because Grace is the Point

Imagine the mayhem that would exist in corporate boardrooms and executive suites when one of the primary spokespeople for the organization completely discredits and disconnects from the cause they have agreed to support.  Imagine.

That’s Michael Jordan, in his prime, saying that he doesn’t know anything about Nike and he doesn’t want anything to do with them.  That’s Peyton Manning saying that a frozen pizza is as good as Papa John’s.  It’s Tiger Woods saying that it doesn’t matter what golf ball or golf club you use.  It’s Jennifer Aniston saying that a store branded skin cream product is just as good as Aveeno.

Enter the key endorser of the mission of Jesus… enter Peter.

Three years of understanding the mission and message and minister, and when the lights of the camera are at their most intense, Peter says:

“I don’t know him.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” (Luke 22:56-60)

Ouch.

But not so fast, and not too harsh.  What if the product that God ultimately wanted Peter to endorse wasn’t the power of Jesus’ earthly ministry?  What if grace was what God wanted Peter to endorse, and not miracles?

If grace was the product, then Peter was perfect.
If grace is the gift, then who better to authentically endorse it?

On second thought, Peter was the perfect spokesperson… and so am I.

Grace and mercy on display.  Love in action.  In spite of us.  At work in us.

When it counted most, and in the face of fierce opposition, Peter endorsed the message with clarity and power:

“… there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Because grace is the point.

Peter was perfect.

And so am I.