Mark – God is On Our Side!
Have you every noticed that when we vow to NEVER say or do what our parents said or did, that we soon catch ourselves saying and doing the exact same thing to our kids? “Look at me when I’m talking…don’t look at me that way.” Nope, I will never say something so weird to my kids.
And then I do. I said things I didn’t really believe myself. I said and did things based on the information at hand at that moment. I was and am not the perfect parent. I’m still learning. But this I do know, I am forgiven by a perfect Savior for all my failures and sins.
Mark 14, NLT
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
‘God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”
29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”
30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.
Peter said NEVER. Peter did indeed deny His Lord, Master and soon to be Savior. Not once but three times based on the information at hand, fear, and not knowing what would happen next. The others ran away to escape trouble. Notice that Peter stayed close by to Jesus. Denying Jesus? Yes, but he could not leave completely. His love for Jesus kept him close. His love for Jesus caused him to be remorseful and repentant as soon as the third denial left his lips. Unlike Judas who was sorry he got caught and was not repentant.
Warren Wiersby relates:
“The quotation from Zechariah told the disciples what to do when the Jews arrested Jesus: scatter! In fact, at the very time of His arrest, Jesus said, “Let these [disciples] go their way” (John 18:8). In other words, “Men, get out of here!” I have read eloquent sermons blaming Peter for “following afar off,” but they completely miss the point. He was not supposed to follow at all! Had he obeyed the Lord, he would not have attacked a man with his sword or denied the Lord three times. Peter seemed to have a difficult time applying Jesus’ commands to himself. The other men might forsake Jesus, but Peter would stand true and, if necessary, go with Him to prison and to death. Of course, the other disciples echoed Peter’s boast, so he was not the only self-confident one in the group. In the end, all of them failed.”
Never say never but always ask for forgiveness. For it will be unconditionally given to a repentant, sincere heart by our Lord and Savior who loves us so much that he went the cross in our place, for our sin, so that we can live forever with Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are human. You know us well. You had and plan to save us and you fulfilled it. When I think of all you have done I am overwhelmed by your love for us. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for using the mistakes and consequences of our sins to teach us. Thank you for always being with us. Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives from a place of love that goes beyond all reasoning.
In Jesus Name, Amen
