5 Steps To Restoration With Jesus

                Looking at the same verses that we looked at yesterday, Luke 22:54-71, we can see the five steps to restoration with Jesus Christ. It is easy for us, as humans, to stray away from God. It is easy for us to take advantage of His kindness and grace and mercy. Many of us  know someone who has strayed. Many of us have ever strayed. If this is the case for you and you want to come back to Jesus Christ, here are five easy steps to help you out.

                Step 1: Know Jesus' love, interest, and concern. In Luke 22:61, after Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus gave Peter a look. In the English language it is not specific, but when you use the original word you see that it is a look of deep love, interest, and concern. When Peter denied Christ, Jesus did not give him a disappointing look or an "I-told-you-so" look. He looked at Peter with love, with genuine interest, and with pure concern. Know that Jesus still loves you and still cares about you, even if you have strayed away.

                Step 2: Know the word of the Lord. Like 22:61 reads, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.'" This is powerful. We need to remember the word of the Lord and know it. Know the word of the Lord so that you know what is true and what is not. Just dive back into your Bible, as much or as little as you feel God tells you to do. Just know the truth and don't believe lies.

                Step 3: Know that denying Jesus will cause you pain. In the next verse, Luke 22:62, it says that Peter wept bitterly. It was not a normal crying. It was a crying that came from the soul. You could imagine the snot running out of his nose and all of the awkward sounds and wales of crying coming from him and a deep pain in his stomach. When you deny the Lord and walk away from Him, you are only hurting yourself in the process.

                Step 4: Know that Jesus suffered for you. Luke 22:63-65 says that the guards that were holding Jesus beat Him and insulting Him as if he were not who He truly was, God. Know that Jesus Christ suffered a beating so intense that the Historians recorded it as saying that He was unrecognizable. His own mother could not even recognize His face. Imagine how intense of a beating He went through in order to not even have His own mother recognize Him up close. He fulfilled Isaiah 53 for you.

                Step 5: Know that Jesus is Christ. In Luke 22:66-71, we see the Roman court questioning Jesus. An interesting conversation takes place. In Luke 22:67-68, the priests and elders ask Jesus, "'If you are the Messiah,' they said, 'tell us.' Jesus answered, 'If I tell you, you will not believe me.'" Jesus' response was saying this: Why are you asking if I am Jesus Christ? If you knew that I was the Christ, the Savior, the Anointed One, would it make a difference? The same question goes for you. Jesus had been walking around for three years answering this question to everyone, and we even have the answer in the Bible! (John 8:58 and Luke 22:70-71) Why does it matter who Jesus is? If He was the Christ, what would it mean to you?

                These are five things that you need to think about if you want to start to walk back to Jesus. They question your faith, your stance, and what you believe. Most importantly, if you feel as if you are straying away and you do not want to, be humble and ask a brother or sister to pray with you. Hey, why not pray right now? God is listening. He cares and wants the best for you. This is, in the end, your decision and no one else's; but your brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you if you need any support.


                                                                                                                                        -D