Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Mark 14:27-31; 66-72
Set – Job 25; Mark 14
Go! – Job 25; Mark 13-14
Mark 14:27-31; 66-72
Jesus: 27 All of you will desert Me tonight. It was written by Zechariah,
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will scatter.
28 But when I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Peter (protesting): 29 It doesn’t matter who else turns his back on You. I will never desert You.
Jesus: 30 Peter, mark My words. This very night before the cock crows twice, you will have denied Me three times.
Peter (insisting): 31 No, Teacher. Even if it means that I have to die with You, I’ll never deny You.
All the other disciples said similar things.
66-67 While Peter was waiting by the fire outside, one of the servant girls of the high priest saw him.
Servant Girl: You were one of those men with Jesus of Nazareth.
Peter: 68 Woman, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
He left the fire, and as he went out into the gateway, a cock crowed.
69 The servant girl saw him again.
Servant Girl: Hey, this is one of them—one of those who followed Jesus.
Peter: 70 No, I’m not one of them.
A little later, some of the other bystanders turned to Peter.
Bystander: Surely you’re one of them. You’re a Galilean. We can tell by your accent.
71 And then he swore an oath that if he wasn’t telling the truth that he would be cursed.
Peter: Listen, I don’t even know the man you’re talking about.
72 And as he said this, a cock crowed a second time; and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows twice, you will have denied Me three times.”
He began to weep.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Be careful about making promises you can’t keep. Peter thought he would never deny Me when he made his declaration. It was just a few short hours, though, and he not only denied Me, but sealed his denial with an oath. Fear for his life caused him to forget the thin boast he made that he would die before he would leave My side. It only took the sight of the soldiers’ swords in the night to dissuade him from following further to his own crucifixion.
It wasn’t that Peter didn’t believe he would stand with Me until the end, but he didn’t have the strength by himself to do so and because My Spirit had not yet come to stay with you and in you, he just couldn’t do it. He fled just like Zechariah said all of My disciples would. None had the intestinal fortitude to stand by Me in those darkest hours. They had all witnessed crucifixions. They had all seen the floggings and beatings inflicted by the Romans. They knew what could happen if they didn’t escape … and quickly. So they ran. All of them.
It was partly because of Peter’s experience he became such a fervish missionary for Me. Once he learned to lean upon Me and trust in My strength instead of his own, Peter discovered he could keep his promise and not fear physical death. Once Peter saw Me after My resurrection and had My Spirit living in him, he knew nothing could keep him from following Me wherever I led him. Even to the cross where he requested he be crucified upside-down because he felt he didn’t deserve to die the same way I did.
What was the change in Peter? The upper room was the change. He and those who spent time with him in that room waited for the third person of the triune Godhead to invade their lives. The Holy Spirit came to them after they prayed through. What does that mean? They gave up everything. They emptied themselves of self and let Me have control of their lives. They vowed to do what I asked them to do…whatever it might be or whatever it might cost. Peter and those with him held nothing back.
You can do the same. It’s not just the words, “I give myself to you,” though. It means you have to really do it. You really pray through and give Me everything…everything. It’s not always easy to give everything up, but you must give Me everything if you expect to have the strength of those like Peter, Paul, James, John, and so many others through the centuries.
Peter couldn’t keep his promises until I lived within him. Neither will you. But once you let Me transform you with My mighty power, there is nothing impossible through Me.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.
Past couple of days you have not sent me podcast. I have to read it myself. Have you stopped this or is something wrong on my end?
Jan