Father, one would think that with the way life is right now there would be less stress and less that needs doing. But, as You are well aware, that just doesn’t seem to be the case. Shore me up to be up to the task. May I be what You need me to be in all circumstances. Amen.
Luke 22:54-65 (<<click here to read the passage)
As an adult with a few years under my belt, one thing I have struggled with is fake friends. Here’s one example. Early on in my time at Kohl’s, I was a Point of Sale Supervisor. I worked with associates on the registers. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a cold, detached kind of person. I enjoyed getting to know fellow workers. I didn’t lord my position over them but supported them. I had fun with them. I listened if they wanted to share personal struggles – it’s the pastor in me!
Sometimes people would work for a year or so, then move on. One woman worked on registers for a time and did just that. She got another job somewhere but was still a relatively frequent shopper.
After that, I would see her in the store and would greet her, but she ignored me! I tried a few more times but I always got the same cold shoulder response. Total strangers were more friendly than she was. I don’t know what happened but whatever professional relationship we had had at one point ceased to exist.
I understand that not every person is going to be your best friend but to go from relational to total avoidance is disheartening, to say the least.
We can get the idea that the disciples were just students of a rabbi. And to some extent that was true, but they were far more than followers…they were more than associates. They were friends…good, solid, share everything kinds of friends. Peter proclaimed without a hint of hesitation that he would give his very life for Jesus if it was called for.
Mark (who many hold to have written Peter’s viewpoint of the Gospel), in a parallel passage to today’s, wrote,
Peter said to [Jesus], “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” Mark 14:29 AMP
Jesus goes on to say,
“I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” v30 NLT
And Peter declared emphatically,
“No! Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” v31 NLT
In essence, Peter was saying, “Jesus, you know me! You know I’d do whatever had to be done. Friends stick together!”
Yes, Jesus knew Peter…He knew him better than he knew himself. And unfortunately, Jesus’ prophetic statement came true.
…the rooster crowed… and, at that moment as Peter stood by the fire and Jesus stood amongst His accusers, He turned and looked at Peter. And all that Jesus had said flashed through Peter’s mind.
Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for three years… But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even 12 hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend.
We need to take the last portion of this study note to heart.
We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure.
Lord Jesus, keep us close to Your heart. We, like Peter, are prone to wander. May we strive to not be the kind of friend who turns their back on You. Help us to never forget that though we may fail, that You will surely forgive…for that is what friends do. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Dec 17th, 2020, Thurs, 6:28 pm
