“And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.” (John 18:25 KJV).
This is Apostle Peter who brags of his devotion and loyalty to his Master and Teacher. Yes, he is one disciple who did his best effort to follow the master in order to be like Him. Clearly, Peter hasn't gotten the Lord’s way, yet. He is trying hard to be like the Lord Jesus in his own effort. However, the only way to be like the Lord, the one thing that the Lord explained that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life, he couldn’t get a grasp on. Hearing it, Peter took the Lord aside and began to rebuke Him, “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” (Matthew 16:21-22 NIV). He rebuked the Lord! With that failing, the Lord Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”” (Matthew 16:23 NIV). That's who Peter was. He was a man of frailty, looking to his self effort. He was like we are. But, he believed.
Now, we observe him here following the Lord, trying again to prove his brag by self-effort to go with the Lord wherever He goes, even "to die." As the Lord is being dragged to His next questioning, here he stands warming up in the courtyard. When asked if he is one of the Lord’s disciples, he lied. So he failed, again. Not just once, but now a second time, he denies his Lord — the very Lord he seeks to emulate and to follow, even to die with.
Yes, Apostle Peter failed. But history, including his later epistles after the Lord's resurrection, will show that Peter did become more like his Master. It is very reassuring that our Lord Jesus Christ didn't give up on Apostle Peter when he failed ... even though he did so repeatedly! The Lord does not give up on us either! --- "for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."" (Hebrew 13:5b). The Psalmist attests and testifies: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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