The Tim Hortons, around the corner from the church, is a familiar stop.  Usually, but not always, David is the one who goes in to pick up a coffee – a coffee we like to share.  Today I did.  As I paid, the woman who assisted me said, “Your husband usually gets the coffee.”  I smiled and said, “Yes he does.”  She said, “I could tell by your smile that you belonged with him.” (The string on my mask broke, and my mask had momentarily slipped down, at which point she saw my smile). She told me how she had seen a picture of me. David told her that he shares the coffee with his wife, and to let her know which customer I was, had shown her a picture of us together. I was glad to be known for my smile.  I was glad to be known that I “belonged with” my husband. 

We take ourselves to the scriptures, to the story of Peter, hours before the crucifixion of Jesus. Peter, the confessed disciple of Jesus, the one who has spent years with Jesus, finds himself in the courtyard warming himself by a fire.

This is the true story told.  It is a story about ‘belonging’.

“Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm.

One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!” He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.” A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.” But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.” Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about” (Luke 22:54-62).

In this situation Peter is stating clearly that he does not want to be known for ‘belonging’ to Jesus.  Confessing his faith, and relationship as a follower of Jesus, is not something he is prepared to do. He is keeping a safe distance from acquaintance with Jesus, even though he has known Jesus as friend, teacher, Messiah.

Perhaps we can all share in Peter’s experience.  There may have been situations when we were hesitant to confess our ‘belonging’ to Jesus; our Messiah, friend, teacher. In a land of freedom, where confession does not come at a severe cost, we may find ourselves challenged, and convicted by our behaviour.  When Peter realized what he had done, “He went out and cried and cried and cried” (Luke 22:62). (I recognize, as I write, that I have friends for whom a public confession of faith in Jesus, at this point in their lives, remains unwise. Despite this, I know that in their hearts they celebrate that they ‘belong’ to Jesus, and live for him).  It was after the resurrection of Jesus that Jesus restored Peter’s confidence. Despite his behavior, he still belonged, and was to live the days ahead, for and with, Jesus. 

Belonging, and confessing, are parts of a living faith.  Peter reminds us that “God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise” (1 Peter 2:9). Today, may we be known by our actions and even by our smiles, as those who ‘belong to Jesus.’

Today, we can sing and confess our faith through the lyrics of this song. 

Jesus, Hope of the Nation 

Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of Heaven's hope on earth

Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance
You are the source of Heaven's light on earth

In history You lived and died
You broke the chains, You rose to life

You are the hope living in us
You are the rock in whom we trust
You are the light shining for all the world to see

You rose from the dead conquering fear
Our Prince of Peace drawing us near
Jesus our hope, living for all who will receive
Lord, we believe 

Our God, when we belong to you, your desire for our lives is made complete.  We receive and thank you for this gift of belonging, established in and through Jesus.  We also confess those times when we have been like Peter, reluctant to admit that we are yours.  Forgive us and teach us the beauty of living as your treasure, offering lives that praise you alone.  We pray for those around the world, who at this time, cannot publicly confess their faith, even though they would long to. Strengthen their hearts and minds, grant them your rest, and give them your opportunities to share with others, “I belong.”  AMEN.

With care and in prayer,