Today’s scripture: Luke 22:54-62 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Angie Eden):
The more I read and reread the gospels the more I am made aware of the connection between the disciples of then and the disciples of now. I see a little of myself in each of the original twelve, and perhaps more in poor Peter than all the others. A fisherman, he is one of the first called and one of the first to see the resurrected Christ. We see his heart of devotion in the book of John when Jesus wants to wash his feet. Initially refusing, Jesus says to him that unless you let me do this, you will have no part of me. Peter replies by saying, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”
Does that sound like something you would say? Me, too. Our love and passion for Jesus springs out of us, usually by way of words. After the feet-washing scene it comes as no surprise that Peter is staunch in his loyalty to Christ and his ministry regardless of the risks. At the last supper, he vows, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!”
Does that sound like something you would say? Me, too, though, for most of us, those vows are never truly tested. But for poor Peter, the reality of Christ’s arrest proves too much. When backed against the wall, Peter’s knee-jerk response is “…I don’t even know him!”
Does that sound like something you would say? What if your very life and freedom were at stake?
Who knows, right? I want to believe I wouldn’t. I want to believe that even death could not take my faith, my alignment with Jesus Christ. But until tested, I’m left only with Peter’s example. At the rooster’s reminder, he is immediately overcome with disappointment and weeps. However, we also know that Peter goes on to establish many churches and was eventually crucified. Like Peter, despite moments of weakness, we must own our mistakes, dry our eyes, and get back to the business of sharing the grace and love of Jesus.
Thought for the day: For today, give God thanks for disciples like us, then and now, for human examples of faith lived out and sometimes not so perfectly. When you fall short, ask God to reveal to you, like the rooster’s wake-up call, a nudge back to your words, your promises. Don’t let setbacks prevent you from performing the ministry you were called to do.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.