Luke 22:54-62
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall our last passage in which Peter lashed out in violence when Jesus was confronted and arrested. Then read Luke 22:54-62 as if you were there observing and listening.
Peter, the disciple full of passion and bravado, must be completely confused by what just transpired. He was ready to fight thinking the time had come when Jesus would finally overthrow the oppressors and the hypocrites. But instead, Jesus allowed the aggressors to arrest him and lead him away.
While the other disciples run away in fear, Peter continues to follow Jesus…but at a distance.
In the courtyard Peter attempts to blend in until he can figure out what is going on with Jesus. But his efforts to remain inconspicuous are futile. When confronted, he first denies knowing Jesus, then following Jesus, and finally he denies even being from the region where Jesus began his ministry.
Take a moment to consider how you stand out as a follower of Jesus. Does your daily life exhibit the love and grace of Jesus in contrast to a culture bent toward antagonism and intolerance? Talk this over the Jesus openly and honestly.
Read Luke 22:54-62 again.
Earlier in Luke’s narrative, Jesus told Peter that he had prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). And Peter’s failure was not so much a failure of faith in Jesus as it was a revelation of his misplaced faith in himself.
Peter believed that his commitment to Jesus was so strong that he would be ready to die for Jesus if necessary. Sadly, when the moment of truth came, his passion was not sufficient. But even with the shame of his denial weighing him down, Peter never turned away from Jesus. We will soon see him run to the empty tomb and gather with the other disciples at the Sea of Galilee to breakfast with the risen Jesus.
Peter’s faith in himself was shattered that night around the fire, and he finally understood that only faith in Jesus could sustain him. As he made eye-contact with Jesus, we can be sure that he saw nothing but love.
Recall a time in your life when you failed to live up to your image of yourself. Imagine encountering the gaze of Jesus in that moment. Look into his eyes and notice what you see. Then listen to him.
What might Jesus want you to hear today?
How do you plan to respond to him?
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