EGO A GO-GO…
Opening Prayer
I want to serve You God, but I am so weak. Be my strength today, Lord Jesus.
Read Mark 14:27–31
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’[a]
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[b] you yourself will disown me three times.”
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Footnotes:
a Mark 14:27 Zech. 13:7
b Mark 14:30 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
When was the last time you let Jesus down?Post-supper, Peter reminds us how very human we all are. We want to do our best, indeed we want to be better than anyone else, to the fault that we do not always see our own flaws – or at least want to own up to them!
Unfortunately for our egos, Jesus is very good at bursting the bubble precisely: “today – yes, tonight – before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown Me three times” (30). Peter is determined to stand firm with Jesus to the death, but does not see the flaw in his make-up; he is not strong enough to see it through.
Christian tradition holds that he would be strong enough one day, crucified upside-down, as he felt unworthy of being crucified as Jesus was. Peter’s words and behavior here reflect the frailty of the human condition – yet he did not give up but held on to his Savior.
When our faith is tested, it is then that we must dare to know our Lord better. And if we fail and fall, we must give of our best in prayer to the Lord to raise us up and stand us on our feet again. Jesus can cope with our failures if we will stand with Him to the end.
Apply
Do you struggle with guilt when you “fail” God? Humbly come before Him, admit your failure and then allow His love to lift you up to your feet to try again through His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to remember: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.