Peter and Thomas were exceptional men; they had to have been if Jesus chose them to be His disciples. Unfortunately, to many people, Christians included, Thomas is only remembered as the Disciple who doubted Jesus’ resurrection and Peter as the one who denied Him. When anyone today doubts anything or anybody, many are quick to immediately call him or her a “doubting Thomas.” Peter doesn’t fare any better. In fact, it is worse with him. Besides being known as the Disciple who denied Jesus, he is also known as the one who almost drowned when he tried to walk on water and failed. Among Christian preachers and teachers, Peter is also known as the Disciple who constantly put his foot in his mouth. Among several others, one occasion they often cite is the time the Lord announced to His Disciples that He was going to die on the cross to later rise on the third day. Paraphrasing, Peter spoke out saying: “You’ll do no such thing!” Jesus turned to him and said: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23) Ouch!
I’m no psychologist but my guess is that most of us are like that: We tend to remember people’s mistakes and weaknesses more than the good things in their lives. If that is indeed the case, then it is just as easy for others to think the same way about us. In fact, I would not be surprised if some of you, as soon as you read these lines, immediately thought of someone you know who, for whatever reason, only sees you in a negative light. Perhaps you did or said something once that was wrong or did not come out right, and they never forgot it. If it is not fair for others to do that it is not right for us to do it either. That is one reason Paul wrote: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
Nevertheless, what held true for Peter and Thomas holds true for you. Those who really know you, and especially Jesus, love, appreciate, and value you highly. Because God is the only One who knows and understands us, all His children are precious in His sight. He knows the immense value that is in us because Jesus Himself lives in our heart. Let others think of us what they may. What matters the most is what He thinks of us.
God’s word for today: (Isaiah 43:4) “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
