Jesus Again Predicts Peter's Denial
Points:
Jesus then told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
"I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered"
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee - Then Peter said, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will". Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times". But Peter could not believe this and tells Jesus, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you". All the other disciples said the same thing.
Problems:
The problem in this passage is how the disciples declare their undying devotion to Jesus, but only a few hours later they will all scatter in the face of persecution. I think they truly believed that they would never abandon Jesus, and God may have intervened in this matter. Yet, the truth remains that the disciples would say they did not know Jesus and were not his friends.
Parallels:
Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-34
Promises:
In this passage, Jesus promises that nothing will be able to stop the death and resurrection of the Christ. Even the disciples, who have vowed undying love and devotion to Him, will fall away from him so that many will benefit from the sacrifice that is about to take place.
Perils:
The perils I see in this passage have to do with the disciples and how they are sure that they are not the one who will "fall away" from Jesus. All of them except Judas have no idea of what is about to take place and the importance it will have on all mankind.
Precepts:
The command I find in this passage comes from the actions of the disciples. How can they protect Jesus and at the same time allow his sacrifice for the greater good of man? For this reason, I find that God may have intervened with the disciples and revealed to them the importance of what Jesus was about to go through. In this case, the precept is one of obedience. To not act on my own behalf, but do what is right for the greater benefit of all man.
Applications:
I can apply this message in my life today by being obedient to God and acting, not selfishly and for my own benefit, but for the greater good of all man. I should love my neighbor as my self and love my God with all of my strength, all of my mind, and all of my spirit. In this way I will continue to build my relationship with Him and recognize His voice. I can only hope that I will never "disown" my belief in the face of persecution, but I also know that I am human.
.jpg/220px-The_Denial_of_Saint_Peter-Caravaggio_(1610).jpg)
