Tetelestai!

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.