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Jesus Foretells of Peter’s Denial
Matthew 26:31-35 “Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.“
WORDS ARE CHEAP
Be careful with what we proclaim we will do and instead humbly serve Jesus each day. We are all susceptible to sin and fear and will sometimes fail him. Our words will entangle us. Our actions will reveal our hearts,
THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
It is in this place were we see Jesus praying earnestly. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me...” The cup he is referring to is the suffering and death he is about to experience. Why would he say this? Jesus was fully God and fully man. He never sinned and always did the will of God the Father. However, being a man, he knew what pain he was about to experience. Being God he knew that a separation from God the Father was about to occur. Jesus knew he was about to suffer. Notice, what he says next, though...
“Not my will, but your will be done”: Jesus only did what God the Father told him to do. Jesus provided an example to all men who follow him regarding how we should live. We need to stand firm in our love for Jesus and learn from his example. Are we doing what we want to do, or what God wants us to do? Serving God may mean sacrifice or persecution or even death. Our reward is greater than our sacrifice.