John 18:15-27
Today's Passage: John 18:15-27
One of the greatest injuries to the human soul is that of betrayal or rejection. To hear someone who you considered to be a friend (even a close one) deny their affiliation or allegiance to you is incredibly hurtful. It is also an incredible risk we take when we open our lives up to other people.
Jesus can relate. This section of the Passion Narrative is raw and relatable as the Son of God endures great hurt by one of the people in his inner circle. Although Jesus knew it would happen, Peter denies Jesus three times within a short period of time.
Unfortunately, we’ve done it too. How though, do we tend to deny Jesus? What are some ways in which we are the cause of rejection or betrayal?
1. In our fear of other people’s opinions.
2. In our disobedience.
3. In our unwillingness to evangelize.
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end here for Peter. Restoration happened. Jesus gave mercy and forgiveness, and the same will be true of us if we repent and once again draw near to Jesus!
Let’s strive this week to choose God’s opinion of us over that of other people, to obey in everything the good plan of God for us, and to tell the world that Jesus saves even if it costs us something.
Written By: Drew Dukes
One of the greatest injuries to the human soul is that of betrayal or rejection. To hear someone who you considered to be a friend (even a close one) deny their affiliation or allegiance to you is incredibly hurtful. It is also an incredible risk we take when we open our lives up to other people.
Jesus can relate. This section of the Passion Narrative is raw and relatable as the Son of God endures great hurt by one of the people in his inner circle. Although Jesus knew it would happen, Peter denies Jesus three times within a short period of time.
Unfortunately, we’ve done it too. How though, do we tend to deny Jesus? What are some ways in which we are the cause of rejection or betrayal?
1. In our fear of other people’s opinions.
Could it be possible that we care more about human opinion than Divine opinion? This is often the result of denying Jesus; we care too much about horizontal relationships than the singular vertical relationship. Fear of man often leads to denial of Jesus.
Like it or not, we deny Christ when we act in opposition to his commands. We disassociate with Him as Lord when we serve our own flesh. Though others might not perceive it this way, our sin is an outright denial of our allegiance to Jesus Christ.
3. In our unwillingness to evangelize.
Similar to the first point, we are prone to not share the gospel because we fear the repercussions or outcomes. However, we must get honest and see our lack of evangelistic zeal as a denial of Christ. The only reason we wouldn’t want to tell about Jesus is because we fear that message will not be well received. Yet, regardless of what people think, we have a call to associate with the resurrected Christ and tell the nations of his love and grace.
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end here for Peter. Restoration happened. Jesus gave mercy and forgiveness, and the same will be true of us if we repent and once again draw near to Jesus!
Let’s strive this week to choose God’s opinion of us over that of other people, to obey in everything the good plan of God for us, and to tell the world that Jesus saves even if it costs us something.
Written By: Drew Dukes
1 Comment
Preach!