Peter had a “come to Jesus” meeting, literally. A week or so after the resurrection, Jesus had breakfast with the disciples. Afterwards, Jesus said, my words, “Peter, let’s talk about your denying Me the night before I died. Peter, do you love Me?” “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (John 21:17). It’s easy for us to pass over the obvious. Jesus met Peter in the particulars of Peter’s life. Go through the relationship between Peter and Jesus in the Gospels, and Jesus is always meeting Peter where he’s at, but not leaving him there.
I made that point yesterday in my sermon in St. James, Missouri. Jesus affirms what you’re going through. You’re a widow missing your husband… You’re a child being bullied at school… You’re overextended financially… You’ve lost interest in church… Whatever it may be for you, when you decide to have a “come to Jesus” meeting, He begins by saying, my words, “I know what’s going on.” He doesn’t give you a sermon of religious generalities or a pep talk about brushing away your problems, nope. Gospel stories show that Jesus meets us where we’re at.
In yesterday’s Gospel lesson (Matthew 16:21-28), a Canaanite woman initiated “the come to Jesus” meeting. Her problem was a demon possessed daughter. Jesus drew out her feelings. “‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’” Jesus didn’t sweep away her problem, and he doesn’t sweep away whatever you’re struggling with. He draws you to trust Him despite all that may be going against you. Your problems can become the stuff of greater faith. "When all things seem against us, to drive us to despair, we know one gate is open, one ear will hear our prayer" (Lutheran Service Book, 915:4).
Browsing the psalms is a great way to get into a conversation with Jesus about your problems, what Oswald Chambers calls, “your particular sainthood.” Take to heart, "your" is singular!