ODJ: the hard way
April 22, 2011
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! (Matthew 26:41).
READ: Luke 22:54-62
In this devo, I will write about a subject of which I must say—with great confidence—is an area of expertise. Yes, I will be boasting here. For I’ve been well-trained and have lots of experience in it. My subject? Failure. No one wants to experience it, but you and I have both come to know it up close and personal.
The apostle Peter knew what it felt like to fail Jesus. Hours before Peter caved, Jesus warned the disciple that he would deny Him (Luke 22:34). This was more than simply a prophetic possibility. It was a done deal. Later, Jesus took His disciples out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and to prepare for “the time when the power of darkness [would reign]” (v.53; Matthew 26:36-45). Prayer strengthened Jesus as He surrendered to God’s will (Luke 22:41-43; Mark 14:36). It could have also provided Peter with God’s peace and power, but he slept instead of praying (v.37).
Peter had underestimated the severity of his trial. His self-sufficiency, self-confidence, and self-dependence ultimately led to self-deception, which fueled his pride (see Isaiah 2:22; Psalm 62:9). Pride was the cause of Peter’s failure (Proverbs 16:18). He boasted too much and prayed too little. Rejecting Jesus’ warning, Peter didn’t seek God’s power, provision, and protection through prayer (Luke 22:32). In the end, the impulsive disciple denied Jesus three times.
When the rooster crowed, Peter was reminded of the sovereignty of Jesus and the infallibility of His Word (v.61). Peter’s word was proved fallible, but God’s Word is infallible.
The crowing of the rooster signaled the dawn of a new day. It also ushered in a new beginning for Peter as he wept bitterly over his failure and repented of it (v.62). What failure against Jesus will you confess to Him today? —K.T. Sim
What does “denying” Christ mean to you in your life? What are some ways Christians are tempted to “deny” Jesus today?
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