Peter was sure of his loyalty to Christ even if others denied Him. It did not take long before he learned it was not about self-will. It was all of grace. The man who boasted about staying true to the Master no matter what confronted them found himself failing at the slightest provocation, even before a servant girl, a grown man swearing before a servant.

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So, they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again, Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. John 18:25-27

Lent is a time of reflection and introspection.

It is a time to self discipline. It is a time to join other believers as we self correct, acknowledge our frailties and ask for divine help. Lent is a commitment to spiritual growth

The day before, He had the Passover meal with his friends and close associates. He told them it was time to fulfil the prophecy, and yes, they came for him. Accusations were levied, and guilty was the verdict. His mother, by then, had become a follower of Christ, the anointed one. The day came, and He had to walk the long road Via Dolorosa, bearing the cross, the emblem of guilt and shame. It was an agonizing time for everyone concerned, but just for a minute, can we situate ourselves in Mary’s shoes? The prophecies she received and carefully kept in her heart were being fulfilled. Although she felt pain and agony, whatever she endured was nothing to compare with her son’s suffering. All for man’s sin.

Religion is a set of ordinances, beliefs, systems, rules, traditions, behavioural attitudes, ethics, and moral codes, organised to ensure strict adherence to its tenets and geared towards the worship of the preference of a "higher" being or force.

It seeks to govern its followers with strict rules, which no compliance commands dire consequences. It also emphasises the role of effort and sacrifice on the part of the devotee.

Religion can be pure and undefiled and holy. It can also be a yoke that binds and controls the behavioural patterns of its adherents.

With a quick scan of the world's systems and peoples, one would discover a plethora of different religions and their tenets of worship.

The object of worship can range from inanimate objects to animate ones like trees, stones, humans, ancestors, or intangibles like seasons, et al.

It has been said that Christianity is not a religion but a way of life because its rules of engagement are at variance with that of every other religion. The Christian faith has, at its core, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary. It emphasises a relationship based on trust and total dependence on what has been done, unlike every other religion, whose main thrust is in the "doing", recognising the effort and rituals on the part of the worshipper. It insists that to be accepted or qualified for anything, the worshipper must be willing to adhere to laid down rules. It is why most religions emphasise repetition as the once and for all sacrifice of the Christian belief is too easy. In other words, the more arduous or demanding the efforts are, the more efficacious they are believed to be.

Do you sometimes wonder how destiny makes his house calls? Have you ever imagined if you were on Fortune's list, and if not, what would you need to be?

Let us meet Simon of Cyrene. He was one of those we would term "waka pass" (one who makes a cameo appearance) characters in a role play. He got a one-liner mention in the History of Life, the Bible, and God's Manual for anyone interested in a place in the kingdom of God. The account is reported in three of the four gospels; his feature is easy to skim past unless you are probing.

What qualified him for the role? We do not know for sure, but we can learn a few things from the accounts recorded for us.

How have the events of the suffering, death,

The martyrs of old felt it was an honour to suffer for

What would you do if you knew someone who has done life with you is about to do you in?

How would you react if your trusted ally became your greatest enemy?

How do you deal with a foe wearing the garb of an ally, and you have the power to get them or, better still, stop their evil act, but you would not because they are working in line with God's purpose for your life?

What is it about having a prayer place and time? Does it mean God would not hear us otherwise? On the contrary, it is the force of habit. The art of separating ourselves into specific locations signals that we consider prayer crucial to life and value our time with God. It is an honour to be allowed in God’s presence. Separating ourselves to receive such grace is a delightsome act.

Blessed are those you choose

and bring near to live in your courts!

We are filled with the good things of your house,

of your holy temple. Psalm 65:4

when we take or observe communion, we take on the life of Christ. It is called the power of exchange. Since the cutting of the covenant makes one of the two parties involved, the believer has access to everything Christ has. He is transformed, forgiven, revived, renewed, healed, delivered, protected, preserved, enlightened and at peace with God. The terms of the covenants are blessings; and, when we adhere to them, we reap the benefits. When we don't, we attract the consequences.

To be a great leader, you must seek to serve. Come down to the level of the people. It is how Jesus dealt, if you are His followers, you must do likewise.