A Prayer about the Ultimate Oxymoron
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Matt. 16:22 NIV)
Patient Jesus, if an oxymoron is the juxtaposition of incongruous terms— like deafening silence, jumbo shrimp, planned spontaneity, or peace offensive— then the ultimate oxymoron is “Never, Lord!” Those two words just don’t belong together. Yet, like Peter, I often match them up.
When you tell me that my need of salvation is so great— that I am so broken, so sinful, so diseased, so rebellious that only the gospel of God’s grace can save someone like me— and yet I persist in trying to merit the righteousness of God or at least “supplement” what you’ve done for me on the cross, I pull you aside, rebuke you, and say, “Never, Lord! You haven’t done quite enough for me.”
When you assure me that your grace will be sufficient for me and that in my weakness your strength will be made perfect, and yet I persist in unbelief and start looking for sufficiency somewhere else, I say to your face, “Never, Lord! Your grace won’t be quite enough for me.”
When you call me to participate in your big story of redemption— of making all things new and gathering your bride from every nation— and yet I persist in living a little narrative of personal peace and fulfillment instead of finding my place in your story, I am saying to your face, “Never, Lord! Your glory is not as important as my happiness.”
Have mercy on me, Jesus. Not on Peter, on me!
Lord Jesus, “Yes!” A thousand times “Yes!” to whatever you have said, have promised, and are up to in my life and in your world. Please take me aside and rebuke me with the gospel on a daily basis. I pray in your most wonderful and awe- worthy name.
Amen.