Jonathan on 280305

Scripture:
Luke 22
31"Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. 32Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start." 33Peter said, "Master, I'm ready for anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!" 34Jesus said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me."

54Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. 55In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. 56One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!" 57He denied it, Woman, I don't even know him." 58A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You're one of them." But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not."

59About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He's got to have been with him! He's got "Galilean' written all over him." 60Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. 61Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 62He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Observation
This is the popular tale of Simon Peter denying Jesus. Jesus pin-pointedly predicts Peter’s denial and sure enough, 20 verse later, when Jesus was arrested Peter does that very thing which Jesus warned him he would do. How easily Peter fears for his own safety that he dare not be known as a follower of Christ for even a few hours after Christ is captured. He violently protests against his accusers, as passionately as he had declared his allegiance to Jesus just moments earlier.

Application
I can always identify with Peter. His life is full of ups and downs. One moment he is the Rock and the next he is a tool of the enemy. In this episode, he is full of life, passion, conviction and loyalty to Christ but even before his master is judged guilty, he denies Him. I can only imagine the look on our Lord’s face when the rooster crowed. Peter and Jesus must have been caught in a gaze of deep sadness, disappointment and horror that as a man, Peter really was that weak.
And then I wonder how many more times I’ve missed the look on my God’s face when I’ve let him down. In such a time, what else can you do but cry and cry and cry.

Prayer
Lord God, I am Peter. I am the one who alternates between postures of promise and passion before slumping into denial and destruction. Forgive me, help me, teach me to be faithful. You know my future and I know how your heart aches to endure my unfaithfulness. And for that I
cry. Give me the endurance to be a stable foundation in the big things and the little things, upholding the work and people you are moving through in this world, today. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.