“Trust Takes Years To Build…” (Luke 22:61-62)

Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.
Dhar Mann

Several years after my parents were divorced, my father met a woman who became his companion. Although they never married, they lived together for over thirty years. I accepted her as part of our family, frequently asking her to fly to Southern California, leaving my father alone in Hawaii, so that she could spend time with my children. While my mother was still alive, we allowed our children to address her as Grandma, a gesture that endeared her to our family. 

However, after my mother passed away, the nature of their relationship changed, becoming estranged. Two years later, this woman kicked my father out of their home. With nowhere to go, he begged my sister, who still lived in Hawaii, to allow him to live with her and her family. Less than a month later, my father died of a massive heart attack. The reason was obvious. My father died of a broken heart. In seconds, this woman destroyed the trust that took years to build. She turned her back on our entire family, never willing to explain herself or apologize.

Contrast my story of broken trust with Peter’s breach of trust with His Lord Jesus Christ. Peter lived three years with Jesus. He witnessed countless miracles and Jesus even healed his mother in law from her illness. Before Jesus was crucified, Peter boldly and confidently declared his loyalty to Jesus stating he would never betray him. Jesus solemnly declared to Peter that before the rooster crowed that morning, he would betray Him three times. A few hours later, Jesus was arrested. When questioned by the crowd, Peter denied he knew Jesus three times. At the time of the last denial, a rooster crowed. Dr. Luke records the disturbing silent exchange between Peter and Jesus. 

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:61-62 NASB)

In a few seconds, Peter broke the trust that took years to build with Jesus Christ. Peter never forgot how he betrayed His Lord’s trust but just as importantly, he never forgot how Jesus later forgave him and restored their relationship. Peter would become one of the leaders of the nascent Christian Church, spending the rest of his life preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, and eventually executed for his faith. He was also sentenced to death by crucifixion but Peter insisted that he be crucified in an upside down position, stating he was not worthy to die in the same manner as His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. Jesus Christ shows us the true way to repair that trust. Although He was betrayed, He took the initiative to restore the broken relationship that sin had ruptured. 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.