Verse: John 18:25-27
25 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.” 26 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?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Devotion:
I feel badly for Peter in this passage. In this chapter he has allowed his emotions to do a lot of talking. Jesus has now been taken into custody and the crucifixion is quickly approaching. Peter is reacting to his friend and Lord being taken. Peter’s circumstances, which are extremely scary and uncertain, are causing him to react without pausing to remember where his faith and love lie. Peter is a passionate disciple who has proven to us prior to this passage that he can react without thinking things through. This situation is no different than we have seen so far in his life and it shouldn’t surprise us, but somehow it does!
Now, here he is warming himself by a fire trying to escape for a brief moment the panic he must feel inside. Will they take him? Will they seek his life too? I can’t imagine the stress and anxiety. I have to say, if I am being honest, Peter’s answer above would have been mine.
When I read the passage there is this temptation for me to think less of Peter. How could a disciple of Jesus—who has seen phenomenal miracles before his eyes—how could he deny the Lord! I’m tempted to feel disappointed in Peter. Peter, seriously? Jesus has told you this was coming. This was not a surprise. How can you leave Jesus in His most difficult last hours? You are His trusted friend. You have been with him for three years now and this is how you react?
Too often in life, though, I just react. I don’t pause and think. I react with my words and actions. I respond before I take a moment and pray. If I would just pray and ask God what He would have me do or say, I know He would meet that need in that circumstance. In fact in 1 Peter 3:15, it states:
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
I find it interesting the same disciple who denied Jesus and abandoned his friend is the one to encourage us to, “be prepared to give an answer”. Peter learned the hard way. Obviously, this decision made such a huge impact on his life that he urges us later to “be prepared”.
Last night, I was busy working and the thought came to me, “What would you say to a person who asked you, ‘Why do you believe in Jesus?’” I am sure it is hard to believe, but I had no idea what passage I would be writing about today. It is assigned to me ahead of time but in good “Mandy fashion” I didn’t read the email that gave me my passage hahaha! Christian told me this morning! God was working on me yesterday before I even knew what would be before me today in this devotion! He was paving the way in my heart to drive the message home in me that I need to, “be prepared”.
Peter had allowed the “ moment” to take him over. His answer wasn’t ready. He wasn’t prepared. He was scared. He was scrambling to get away from the situation. As a believer, I need to learn from Peter. Instead of running, I need to be ready to give an answer. I need to hold to God’s Word and His truth. To speak in love and know that no matter what the outcome He will guide me.
Today, let’s each pause and ask God to prepare our hearts to speak truth in love. To help us to have an answer ready for our faith. One that is filled with grace and also truth.
Prayer
Thank you God for all you have done for me. Prepare my heart to have an answer ready in those moments when “the moment” overtakes me. I pray for self control and peace, so that I can pause, and answer with grace!
Author: Mandy Dunn
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