For years their paths had never crossed. John used to smile and say, "I've lost Touch with the Rock." And Peter thought From time to time, "I really ought To find old John." They hadn't seen Each other since the time they'd been Together in Jerusalem, When Herod tried to murder them Like James. They'd said their last farewell The night that Peter's prison cell Was opened by an angel's hand. And both remembered how they planned Some day, somewhere, if God should will, To meet again. And they could still Recall the final words they spoke That night: "O John, don't let the stroke That brought your brother down suppress Your voice and make you any less A ‘son of thunder' without James. The Lord has given us our names!" "And yours is Peter now," John said, "A solid friend with none to dread: How weak was Herod's prison lock! No powers of hell will crush this Rock." And that was all. Two decades passed Without a meeting. Then at last In Smyrna by the sea the two Apostles met again. "It's you, It's really you! How are you, John?" "I'm well, Simon, and you?" "I've done All right, I guess. The Lord is good. You know my mouth! If Jesus weren't A patient God, I would have burnt In hell a long, long time ago. Instead I've watched the kingdom grow. O John, the stories we could tell! It's true, you know — the gates of hell Are falling everywhere. The Lord Still speaks with power in his word. Have you not found it so? Come, sit With me beside the fire I've lit, And tell me, brother, what one night Do you recall with Him that might Go down in history as the best And worst of nights?" "The night he blessed The bread. It was the best and worst. Why do you ask?" "Because I thirst — I thirst to drink with him again! O John, we will be different men. When He returns, and I am sure That when we eat we will be pure. Can you believe the things we said That night! And scorned the holy bread Before his very face? The pride That you and I could scarcely hide That He had chosen us to bake The bread and find the room and take Charge of the meal. And then between Us both to bicker and demean Each other's name: ‘Which is more great: The sound of Thunder or the weight Of Rock?' And when he chastened me, And showed me his humility, And laid bare all my arrogance, Did I accept his second chance Like you? I strutted like a cock, And crowed my strength: ‘I am a Rock! If others turn away and fall, Not I! At least the Rock stands tall.' It haunts me, John. At every meal. It haunts me till I scarce can feel Forgiv'n. I preach, I heal the lame, I suffer for the Savior's name, And I rejoice to bear the shame. This is my passion, John, the flame That burns and burns until I feel That my heart could explode with zeal. But I can scarcely lift my head When someone breaks the holy bread. It haunts me, John. For twenty years The mem'ry . ." Peter broke in tears. John watched the Rock reduce and melt. And then the Son of Thunder knelt Beside his friend and said, "Tell me, In all these years of sympathy For God's lost sheep, as you have healed The sick, and secret thoughts revealed, And made a thousand people new, Has anyone laid hands on you?" He shook his head. And so John laid His hands on Peter's head and prayed: "The Lord, the Lord, a gracious God, And slow to lift an angry rod, Abounding now in mercy free, And faithfulness for you and me, Forgiving every kind of sin That we have ever fallen in. Come now, O Lord, and touch with me, Come, Jesus, heal the memory Come, Spirit, spread a table here: No sin, no guilt, no pain, no fear. Come pour the cup and break the bread, And lift your servant Simon's head, And feed him with your righteousness, And make the cup of blessing bless, And speak now face to face, O Christ: ‘My body I have sacrificed; I've loved you Peter unto death, And love you now with every breath You take. Come friend, lift up your head. That is the meaning of the bread. I meant it then; and still it's true: My heart's desire — to eat with you.'" And so today in Jesus' name I welcome you to do the same. There is a quiet thunder here And Jesus too is very near. As we light advent candle one Be healed and nourished in the Son.
Logos.ReferenceTagging.lbsBibleVersion = "ESV"; Logos.ReferenceTagging.lbsLinksOpenNewWindow = true; Logos.ReferenceTagging.lbsLibronixLinkIcon = "dark"; Logos.ReferenceTagging.lbsNoSearchTagNames = [ "h1", "h2", "h3" ]; Logos.ReferenceTagging.lbsCssOverride = true; Logos.ReferenceTagging.tag(); By John Piper. © 1989 Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
