November 27 - Rocky 8

Read today’s texts first: Psalm 125; Matthew 26-27

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

It’s not a hard head that makes you strong;
it’s a soft heart. 

It’s hard to believe that Sylvester Stallone made 8 Rocky movies, his last when he was 72 years old!  In his last two, with the son of his archenemy, Creed, Rocky has finally become the trainer, not the boxer. When it comes to boxing, the expression “you’re not getting older – you’re getting better” does not apply!  However, that expression does work for disciples, Peter in particular.  When he was renamed “Rocky” by Jesus, he was far from living up to that name.  He was the most inconsistent of the disciples, bouncing from saint to schmuck almost mid-sentence.  But we know from his later leadership in the church, as recorded in Acts, he progressively transformed from the reed (Simon) to the rock (Petros). 

In the earlier episodes, however, the “Rock” could not quite walk the talk.  At the last supper, when Jesus is warning His disciples about the night of betrayal ahead, Peter says “even if all fall away on account of You, I never will!” (26:33). Peter is the Sylvester Stallone among the 12 – a little rough around the edges, but all man!  The irony of his empty words is vividly illustrated by the cock crowing a few hours later!  From King of the Roost to Chicken Little in three quick denials!

Sometimes I wish he would just shut up, until I remember I’m just like him.  I hate to admit the number of promises I’ve made and broken in the heat of misguided conviction. But Peter learned, and I’m learning too, that it’s not a hard head that makes you strong; it’s a soft heart.  There’s great wisdom in the comment “there but by the grace of God, go I.”  When we realize how vulnerable we are, we can also experience God’s powerful grace.

The fact that the original Rocky (Peter) gets stronger in every successive sequel gives me hope.  “Lord, I am ashamed of my own broken promises, and my lack of trustworthiness.  But I have learned, through it all, to trust in You.  The hope I have is described in Psalm 125: those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken.  From reed to rock to an unshakeable mountain – I can’t wait for the next sequel!”