Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 26:58
And
Read Matthew 26:69-75
And
Read Mark 14:54
And
Read Mark 14:66-72
And
Read Luke 22:54-62
And
Read John 18:15-18
And
Read John 18:25-27
Peter and John followed the group that had captured Jesus from a distance. John gained admittance into the place where Jesus was on trial before Caiaphas. To their credit, even though they ran, they came back. They tagged along but tried to blend into the crowd.
Why do you think Peter didn't want to be identified as a friend and follower of Jesus?
Are you ever tempted to not want to be identified with Jesus?
If not, you will be!
Sometimes, it's hard to identify ourselves as followers of Jesus. But God asks us to confess Him before men. I don't go around telling everybody (maybe I should), but I try to speak up when I hear God prompting me to speak.
But this is even bigger than that. When asked directly if he was a follower of Jesus, Peter said, “No way, Jose!”
After the 3rd time, Luke records that Jesus turned and look straight at Peter. Ouch!
How do you feel when you've messed up badly?
Peter wept bitterly. What happened to the man that was willing to die for Him a few hours earlier? How quickly we fall for Satan's temptations. Yes, Peter had good reasons to be afraid and he knew it.
What happens when we fail Jesus?
We may need to grieve and weep bitterly. But the most important thing we must do is to confess it to God (1 John 1:9)
We all will fail at times. But we have forgiveness because of the blood of Jesus on the cross. Peter doesn't know that currently – but he'll learn it soon.
We'll talk more about this tomorrow.
In His service, dale
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