Today's Readings: New Testament -
Mark 14:66-72
Revelation 17
Old Testament -
Job 38:22-41
Zephaniah 3
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Focus Verses: Mark 14:69-72
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Insight:
Peter must have been shocked at his denials of friendship with Jesus. His readiness to deny his association with Jesus came with a strength and swiftness he never could have imagined. He had told Jesus, "Even if all fall away, I will not" (14:29). But now, even when asked by a servant girl, he found himself completely unwilling to be identified as a disciple of Jesus.
Peter was coming face to face with his own limitations and weaknesses, and he wept at the sad realization. He was not the strong friend and unfailing comrade he imagined himself to be. Now he could now see that he was merely Simon the fisherman, not Peter "The Rock." This was a terrible and unexpected recognition for him, but not for Jesus. Jesus had known exactly who and what Peter was from the first day he called him. He knew the fragile stuff Simon was made of, but he also knew how strong Peter would be when he reached the end of himself and began to really find his strength in God (John 21).
Response and Action:
I need to recognize my weaknesses and limitations. I need to remember that though my gifts and abilities are given by God and can be used to God's glory, they are not the reason God has called me. My strength and faith must be in Jesus, not myself. I need to live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
Realizing I am weak and limited is an important insight for life. Realizing that by God's grace and power I can rise above those weaknesses and limits is the next important insight. God delights in using weak things and weak people to accomplish his will. It's a testimony to his goodness and power. I am weak and limited, but God can strengthen and use me.
Thank you, O God, for your grace and salvation. Lead, teach, transform, shape and strengthen me that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Help me to remember that I am you workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works you have prepared in advance for me to do. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Resources:
Self-Esteem: The Cross and Christian Confidence
by Joanna McGrath and Alister McGrath
