868) We place value or approval on people for multiple reasons. We might attribute value on people in our family; on people in our church; or on people at work. We may value the ones who are committed to living their lives with morals and biblical standards. But, what about the people who claim to have these morals and standards but frequently fail?

In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus has a conversation with his disciples and asks them who they think He is. Peter pipes up, as only Peter could do, and identifies Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus praises Peter for this acknowledgement and states the great things Peter will do for Him and the church.

What I think is interesting is that Jesus gives Peter such a high approval rate although Peter often spoke before he thought, had a bad temper and will, ultimately deny that he even knew Jesus. Was Jesus just overlooking these bad choices? No, I don’t think so.

Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. Jesus was aware of Peter’s faults and bad choices and yet, He loves Peter and gives him a high approval rate. Why? Because God is a God of grace. Who forgives when we don’t deserve it and lifts those who are repentant. Now, that’s a high approval rate.