Adventures through the Holy Bible - Week of October 6
God Knows…When Somebody Lets Me Down – Part 2
“I won’t be with you much longer,” Jesus told his disciples. “Where I’m going you cannot come.” The disciples felt frightened when Jesus said He was leaving, “Lord, where are you going?” asked Peter. “You can’t follow Me now,” said Jesus. “Why not?” Peter asked. “Even if everyone leaves you, I won’t. I’d lay down my life for you!” “Would you, Peter?” Jesus responded. “Tonight all of you will be scattered, and Peter, this very night, before the cock crows twice you will deny Me three times.” Peter didn’t believe it.
The Letdown
Later, Peter, James, and John went with Jesus into the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus went a close distance from his disciples for His time of prayer. “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Three times Jesus earnestly prayed. And three times He returned to find His friends sleeping, when He longed for support. The third time, Jesus woke them saying, “Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Roman soldiers and priests surrounded Jesus. Jesus did not resist when Judas walked up and kissed him, to indicate that He was the man who should be arrested. The frightened disciples watched soldiers tie Jesus’ hands. “Let’s get out of here,” suggested Peter. All of the disciples abandoned Jesus and fled.
Peter and John mustered enough courage to trail the mob at a distance to the palace of Annas, the senior high priest. There Jesus was questioned and mistreated, but Annas couldn’t find any basis for a charge. So he ordered soldiers to take Jesus to Caiaphas, the younger high priest.
While Peter warmed his hands at a fire in the courtyard, a servant girl asked, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” “I am not,” said Peter, and a cock crowed. Again someone noticed Peter. “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Frightened, Peter declared, “I do not know the man!”
Perhaps an hour later, a servant asked Peter, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him? Besides, you talk like a Galilean.” This time Peter flew into a rage. With cursing and swearing He denied knowing Jesus. A cock crowed again. Peter suddenly remembered Jesus’ words. He glanced up just in time to see Jesus give him a look of love.
. . .
Jesus responds to us the same way He responded to Peter. When I let Him down, He looks at me with love. He offers me forgiveness. And if somebody else lets ME down, Jesus can help me react the same way He did.
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