Mark 14:27-31
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.”
Mark 14:27-31 NIV
There are times in our Christian life when we go from the heights to the depths, from great hope to the pits of failure, from great resolve to great tragedy, and from a strong start to a weak finish.
What happened to the disciples in the text before us often happens to us, in one way or another.
We leave worship singing, strong in our faith, firm in our trust in the promises of God but, along the way, we do the unthinkable.
We forsake our Lord. We find that our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. We can learn so much from the disciples.
In the intensity of warfare there is nothing more disturbing and discouraging than to have a comrade in arms turn tail and become a deserter in the face of the imminent danger.
Warfare forges a bond with deep roots where every soldier has the back of every other soldier. Jesus and His disciples were united together in a far more dangerous and far more significant warfare that between the kingdom of God and the domain of Satan.
As the intensity ratchets up with Jesus just hours away from going to the cross, there never was a time when loyalty and courage would be more in demand. Sadly there never was a time when Jesus would end up being more alone on the battlefield.
Peter teaches us some valuable lessons through his fall. The Scriptures tell us that as Christians we can deny the Lord.
We should avoid the prideful attitude that leads us to think that others might do it, but we never would. And finally, when we deny the Lord, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a gracious Shepherd. Peter learned all these lessons. We can learn from his mistakes.
There was nothing for which Jesus was not prepared. The opposition, the misunderstanding, the enmity of the orthodox religious people, the betrayal by one of his own inner circle, the pain and the agony of the Cross, he was prepared for them all. But perhaps what hurt him most was the failure of his friends.
It is when a man is up against it that he needs his friends most, and that was exactly when Jesus friends left him all alone and let him down. There was nothing in the whole gamut of physical pain and mental torture that Jesus did not pass through.
Peter's bravado in this instance was not a solo performance. All the followers of Jesus felt that they would follow him to whatever fate awaited them.
Little did they know that they would all forsake him and run away. How sad! How true to life. When we look in Scripture, we find quite a number of people who lost their way and their loyalty to the Lord.
How wonderful that the Lord found a way to reclaim so many of them! May he do so with us. May we do so with others.
Before we condemn Peter too severely we need to ask myself how willing we are to admit a broken promise we have made to the Lord. What do we think Jesus thinks about this?
Jesus knows that Hecwill face the horrors of the cross alone. He has no illusions about what will happen. Scripture has foretold it. His heart knows it.
He lies on the verge of experiencing it. In Ray Overholt's hymn, Ten Thousand Angels, the truth of Jesus words are powerfully recognized:
He could have called ten thousand angels. To destroy the world and set Him free. He could have called, ten thousand angels. But He died alone, for you and me.
Jesus knows His death is coming. He knows He will be betrayed, abandoned, denied, and crucified. He goes through it all anyway for us!!!
Father thank You for this day and we are humbled by the incredible and sacrificial love Your Son demonstrated for us and we appreciate all that He did for us. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord please accept our lives as our thank you for such incredible grace. Lord make us an instrument of Your reconciliation of others to Your saving grace. Lord use my friend and I to bring back those who have lost their way and those who do not know the way today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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