Gathered on the Mount of Olives (remember a place that is a reminder of God’s coming King and judgment), Jesus now foreshadows the tumultuous hours that will lead to his death, but also that the disciples will be scattered. Whilst Jesus has already warned of one disciple’s impending betrayal, he now warns Peter of his denial. That before the rooster crows, that Peter will have disowned Jesus three times. Peter was shocked. He thinks that he’s immune from falling away from Jesus, even if all of the others do. Peter (along with the others) recommits to Jesus, promising to even die with him if that’s what it takes. But of course what is promised in the moment, is much harder to follow through when the time of testing actually arrives. When the time of testing arrives, Peter does indeed deny Jesus three times, just as Jesus had foretold.

As we reflect on this, we should be humble enough to consider that we may have not been any better than the disciples! That whilst we can readily confess with our mouthes that we will stick with Jesus no matter what, when the going gets tough, it can be much harder to follow through. That faced with embarrassment or pressure on our frontlines, that we can regularly deny Jesus with our lives or words. We need to pray that we would be resilient disciples. That we would see the priorities of God’s Kingdom and the certainty of Jesus’ return with such a clarity, that it would cause us to clearly proclaim him no matter what the cost. AL

Questions

How do you think Jesus would have felt that his friends would deny him? Do you think we can ever overestimate how much we’re really willing to face for Jesus? What helps you be faithful to Jesus in times of testing? Are you ever tempted to deny that you know Jesus on your frontlines? How could you grow in boldness and confidence?

Prayer

Loving Father, please forgive us for the times in which our lives or words deny Jesus. Please help us, even when costly, to clearly proclaim Jesus. Please help us, even in times of testing, to stick close to our Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.