And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I
will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am
raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though
they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you,
this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And
they all said the same.
(Mark 14:26-30, ESV)
Yet when the moment came...
Aren’t you one of his
disciples?
No, I am not.
You were with Jesus!
I do not know the man!
Certainly you are one
of them.
I swear, I don’t know who it is you are talking about!
The more I study the gospels, the more I see of Peter in
myself. Vehemently declaring that I will follow Christ to the point of death,
still being told that I will deny Christ more times than I believe I could. Yet
it always comes down to one moment. A moment where I can either decide to
follow the path Christ is leading me towards, or a wider path that promises
pleasure. How many times have I walked the wrong path? More than I could have
possibly believed I might. While my words may not deny knowing Him, how often
have my actions done so? Actions speak so much louder than words.
The movies often try to depict the look of sadness and
disappointment that Christ must have given Peter as he was led away. I cannot
even begin to imagine the disappointment that He must feel in some of my
choices. Oh, the look of disappointment that I would receive! My heart is
pierced to the core even thinking about it.
Just as Peter, I may run. I may hide. But Christ is not far
behind. He always finds me, and in spite of my sin, He takes me in His arms and
whisper to me: “Tetelestai! Daughter, it is finished!” No matter what I have
done, or how far I have fallen, he still calls me to fulfill His purpose.
Simon, do you love Me
more than these?
Yes, Lord; you know
that I love you.
Feed my lambs.
Alicia, do you love Me more than this world?
Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.
Tend my sheep.
_______, do you love
Me more than _______?
Lord, you know
everything; you know I love you.
Feed my sheep.
