The one thing I tend to covet is pantries. I would love a spacious, bright pantry where things are easily accessible. I have a pantry, but it’s narrow, deep, dark, and located in the garage. It’s hard to find what I’m looking for in it, easy to lose track of what’s there, and items in the front tend to fall out when I’m digging for something in the back.

There are times when I picture my inner life like my pantry:  a pitch-dark, cluttered closet with shelves full of things I can’t even see. I’m grateful because Jesus comes into that dark closet, shining his flashlight of the Holy Spirit over the items on the shelves. “Oh, I didn’t know this was in there…how long has that thing been expired?” While what’s on the shelf might be ugly, it’s comforting that Jesus brings it to light and takes care of it. I never feel condemned by what he brings to light, but rather, freed from it being stuck in my life.

Last week I wrote about the Power of Grace as I considered how Jesus managed to fully embody both grace and truth. Yesterday as I was reading Luke 22:54-62 (Peter’s denial of Jesus), verses 61-2 arrested my attention: The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. It wasn’t just the rooster crowing, it was the straight look of the Lord that made Peter remember and, stricken, weep bitterly. I was struck by the power of Jesus’ convicting gaze – not condemning, but not avoiding truth either. Jesus doesn’t minimize our sins, doesn’t explain them away or allow them to remain hidden, but rather takes them all on himself.

Sometimes I feel like Peter — the rooster finally crows and the truth is staring me in the face, and all I can do is weep bitterly. It encourages me to know that Jesus came and restored Peter (asking him three times if he loves him, giving Peter the opportunity to confess him three times, and commissioning him three times to “feed my sheep”) and then Peter went on in great power (John 21:15-19, Acts). I trust that he will redeem and restore me as well.

What’s in your pantry? Do you welcome Jesus in to clean out what doesn’t belong? Are you grateful for his truth as well as his grace?