Opus 2015-86: Easter Prep

If you are familiar with the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus you know about how Peter denied Jesus three times.  Jesus told him it would happen.  Peter arrogantly refused to listen and pledged his eternal loyalty.

(John 13:37-8 KJV)  Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.  Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

We see this unfolding as Peter the Rock becomes Pete the Powder.  One of the three denials is the focus of this post. 

(John 18:17 KJV)  Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

This is presented to show how jittery Peter was.  I have often wondered why this moment would scare him.  This was only a girl talking to him.  Who cared what a woman said?  She was only the door keeper which meant she was a slave.  It was probably so noisy that no one could hear her anyway.  My guess is that she pantomimed him cutting off the ear of the soldier in a very graphic way.  It was enough to make him stand out in the crowd and freak him out.  People who could not hear could certainly see.

Our actions when we are caught off guard are often different than when we have a chance to plan.  The results are often also different.  People know when it is a silly mistake.  If they are honest, and that is a big “if”, they will laugh at and with you and get on with life.  If they think your faux pas was deliberate, the response is different.

God responds the same way.  Peter denied Jesus three times.  He went on to become the Rock and possibly the most influential apostle.  Judas betrayed Jesus also.  He planned it ahead of time.  It was done with cold calculation.  He never repented.  He is spending eternity in a different environment than Peter.

Two things here.  If you make a silly mistake, repent and get on with life.  God is ready and willing to forgive.

(1 John 1:9 KJV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Secondly, make sure you repent.  God does not play games.  As we move toward celebrating the resurrection of Jesus it might be a good time to look at your life and consider.

homo unius libri