Betrayal

Prayer: Gracious Father, please come into this time of prayer. Open my mind and heart to hear Your voice and fill me with the knowledge of Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Read: John 13:31-38
http://www.esvbible.org/John 13:31-38

Think about It: Having our loyalty doubted or questioned can be a very painful experience. While loyalty isn’t often touted as a great character trait, it really is an important one. Think about it; would you rather have a loyal spouse, or disloyal; would you rather have a friend you can trust or one that you doubt? The answer is obvious. But imagine having your future loyalty called into question. Now you have no defense because the events haven’t happened yet.

Peter’s story is one that generations of Christians have embraced for almost 2,000 years; probably because he is so relatable. All of us have had those impulsive moments when we’ve said or done something that we almost instantly regretted. And you either are or know someone who is wildly passionate about life and about what they are up to at the moment. While these people can wear you out, they have a fire that is enviable. This was Peter; passionate, fired up, and so very impulsive. And he was counted among the very closest friends to Jesus. How cool would that be?! The “red Words” we read today open the curtain on one of Peter’s greatest personal  dramas; his denial of Christ.

One cannot doubt that Peter is loyal to Jesus. In fact, just a few hours after the speaking of the words in today’s text, Peter jumps to Jesus’ defense and cuts off a man’s ear! So for Peter to be told that he will deny even knowing Jesus hurts. Surely this can’t be true! He may have even made a determination in that moment that this was never going to happen! His loyalty could not be doubted! Of course we know the rest of the story. Peter does indeed deny knowing Jesus, three times, just as prophesied. And in that final denial, we see Peter crushed in spirit, going off to   struggle with the knowledge that when things got difficult he was not tower of strength. The picture that he holds of himself doesn’t stand up to reality. He’s weaker than he thought he was. We all are.

The person that Peter betrays in this event is not Jesus, for Jesus already knew it would happen. It was himself. No one was probably more surprised by his denial than Peter himself which sets him up for the remarkable restoration that Jesus brings to Him after the resurrection. And there’s where the story actually ends; Jesus comes and brings forgiveness for the sin of betrayal and full restoration to the sinner. He does the same for us, for we daily betray our Lord as we neglect Him or blatantly sin against Him. Instead of recrimination, which we know we deserve, He brings peace and forgiveness.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the forgiveness and restoration only You are able to give me. Thank You for the story of Peter that shows me how much You love Your children and how gently You treat them. Please forgive me when I think I can handle things by myself or move forward in my own strength, for that is always a delusion. You are an awesome God and You put amazing blessings into my life. In Your name I pray. Amen.

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