At the turn of the twentieth century, a Russian physician named Ivan Pavlov won a Nobel Prize. Dogs naturally salivate on the smell of food, but Pavlov desired to see if he could cause salivation with one other stimulus. As you almost certainly remember from a highschool science class, Pavlov rang a bell before feeding the dogs. Eventually, the ringing bell caused the dogs to salivate. Pavlov referred to this as a conditioned reflex.
To one degree or one other, all of us are Pavlovian. Over time, we acquire an elaborate set of conditioned reflexes. If someone slaps us on the cheek, our conditioned reflex is to slap back. Or is that just me?
The gospel is all about Jesus reconditioning our reflexes by his grace. The result? We love our enemies, pray for many who persecute us, and bless those that curse us. We turn the opposite cheek, go the additional mile, and provides the shirt off our back. Theologians call these the Six Antitheses, but I like to consider them as six countercultural counter-habits.
No lower than six times within the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, but I inform you . . .” (Matt. 7–9). Jesus was reshaping Old Testament mindsets akin to “an eye fixed for an eye fixed” (Matt. 5:38). He was difficult our ethic, starting with forgiveness.
Remember in Matthew 18 when Peter asked Jesus how over and over we should always forgive? He thought he was being generous by suggesting seven. Jesus ups the ante: seventy times seven. It’s on a beach by the Sea of Galilee (John 21) where this concept of forgiveness is personalized for Peter. This is a post-Resurrection appearance, which suggests it’s post-denial. Peter had denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but thrice, and it was after the third denial that the rooster crowed, reminding Peter of Jesus’ prophecy (Matt. 26:75).
Can I make a Pavlovian statement? I’m wondering if Peter felt a twinge of guilt each time he heard a rooster crow after that. Every single morning, that rude awakening may need reminded Peter of his great failure, until the morning when Jesus reconditioned his reflexes.
Peter was out fishing when Jesus called out across the water: “Throw your net on the proper side of the boat and one can find some.” The early morning mist made it inconceivable to see who said it, but a miraculous catch made it obvious. John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:4–7).
That’s when Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to shore. When he got there, Jesus was frying fish on burning coals. Let’s pause right there—how can we not love a God who makes breakfast on the beach for his disciples?
After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter a matter: “Do you like me greater than these?” (v. 15). He doesn’t ask it a few times, but thrice. Coincidence? I believe not. Three denials require three reinstatements. This is how and when and where Jesus reconditions Peter’s reflexes.
Have you ever noticed the time of day? John is precise: “Early within the morning” (v. 4). In other words, right across the time the roosters crow. The sound that reminded Peter of his best failure—the sound that had produced feelings of guilt—would now produce feelings of gratitude. Jesus did greater than recommission Peter. Jesus reconditioned his reflexes together with his grace.
Have you ever had someone love you if you least expected it and least deserved it? It’s life-changing, isn’t it? What if we loved others the best way God loved us? The gift of Easter reveals that sin without grace equals guilt, but sin plus grace equals deep gratitude that we are able to carry and express each morning, afternoon, and night.
We generally tend to provide up on God, but God doesn’t hand over on us. He is the God of second, third, and thousandth possibilities. Even once we feel like we’ve failed God, that is the God who comes after us, who calls out to us across the water. This is the God who makes breakfast on the beach. This is the God who gives us a latest lease on life.
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. He is the New York Times bestselling creator of 23 books.
This article is a component of Easter within the Everyday, a devotional to assist individuals, small groups, and families journey through the 2024 Lent & Easter season. Learn more about this special issue here!
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