John 13:34-35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Did you know that corporations spend millions of dollars every year just to keep their names, images, and reputations from being confused with someone else?
Trademarks, copyrights and patents are all designed to help a company control and distinguish itself form others, and they are vigilantly guarded against infringement.
“Aspirin,” “Kerosene,” “Linoleum,” “Videotape” and “Zipper” were once trademarks, but because of a lack of diligence to protect these names from misuse, (or in the case of Aspirin, the spoils of World War I,) they have become generic terms for many similar products.
Especially in our world today, we see many products that look similar, and because of the presence of “knock-offs,” they even bear the same names. But, when you examine them closely, there is some trait, characteristic or element that separates the real from the fake -- the authentic from the imitation.
It is the same with “Christianity.”
The book of Acts, as well as the other letters of the New Testament, show us what Christians are. We see how people seeking God came into contact with the cleansing power of the Gospel, and began to lead new lives -- following the path that leads to eternal life with God and the redeemed. And, it is the same today. The power of the Gospel is as strong now as it ever was. A believer can find his way to God through studying His Word.
But -- what about finding others who are also believers?
Unfortunately, “Christianity” is as full of “knock-offs” as the world is. Many call themselves “Christian” -- and have found others to follow along with them -- but do not follow the true pattern found in the Word of God -- do not follow God’s pattern, but have forged their own similar pattern.
The problem with forging a “similar pattern” is that it is not the “authentic” pattern -- not what God, Himself, through Christ, revealed to us.
As His disciples were gathered together in the upper room, Jesus gave them their distinguishing mark -- they were to have a deep love and concern for each other.
As Christians, our following the teachings of the New Testament -- obeying the Gospel -- is of vital importance. But, the distinguishing element that separates Christ’s true followers from all the “copy-cat Christians,” is how we interact with each other -- how we exhibit our concern for the well-being of our fellow believers.
All of the elements might be in place -- all the doctrinal issues might be just right -- all of the practices might be perfectly aligned with Scripture -- but it is our LOVE that sets us apart.
1 John 3:10: This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
1 John 1:4: Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
John 13:6-10 - Wash My Feet?
John 13:6-10:
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
Have you ever taken the trouble to get all dressed and ready to go to a special event -- like a wedding or a funeral -- only to have a tough time staying clean before the event starts?
It seems everything you come in contact with leaves something behind -- lint -- dust -- stains!
Imagine how difficult it was for the disciples -- they didn't enjoy our carpets, paved walkways, and vinyl flooring. Even though they bathed, as they walked from place to place, their feet would not stay clean.
Jesus, understanding this, used the occasion to teach His disciples. He got up, dressed Himself appropriately for the task, and began cleaning His disciples’ feet before dinner.
As Peter often did, he voiced his opinion… “No, you will never wash my feet!”
He saw the act of washing his feet as a demeaning task for his Master to be doing for him. Maybe the others would let Jesus, but Peter was not about to have anything to do with demeaning the Master!
Jesus explained, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Oh? -- If that was the case, then Peter suddenly saw it all differently -- “Then wash my hands and head as well, and not just my feet!” -- Peter wanted Jesus to know that he was “all in.” He wanted everything to do with Jesus.
But -- and here is the valuable lesson -- Jesus told Peter that he didn't need the “full-body treatment,’ just his feet. Peter was clean already, and just needed a “spot treatment” where he had come in contact with the filth of the world. For Peter, at that moment, it was his feet.
Like Peter, if we have obeyed the Gospel, we have been washed clean by the cleansing blood of the Lamb. Though we try to stay clean, we still have some contact with the world that leaves some spiritual -- lint -- dust -- stains -- on us. Those “spots” are the parts that need attention.
As Christians, we try to stay clean -- try to be free of the sin and filth of this world -- but we also know that we cannot remain completely clean.
Jesus knows this too. And that is why He -- even now -- washes the feet of His disciples!
Our challenge is to do the best we can to keep clean -- and make Jesus’ task easy.
1 John 1:7: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
Have you ever taken the trouble to get all dressed and ready to go to a special event -- like a wedding or a funeral -- only to have a tough time staying clean before the event starts?
It seems everything you come in contact with leaves something behind -- lint -- dust -- stains!
Imagine how difficult it was for the disciples -- they didn't enjoy our carpets, paved walkways, and vinyl flooring. Even though they bathed, as they walked from place to place, their feet would not stay clean.
Jesus, understanding this, used the occasion to teach His disciples. He got up, dressed Himself appropriately for the task, and began cleaning His disciples’ feet before dinner.
As Peter often did, he voiced his opinion… “No, you will never wash my feet!”
He saw the act of washing his feet as a demeaning task for his Master to be doing for him. Maybe the others would let Jesus, but Peter was not about to have anything to do with demeaning the Master!
Jesus explained, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Oh? -- If that was the case, then Peter suddenly saw it all differently -- “Then wash my hands and head as well, and not just my feet!” -- Peter wanted Jesus to know that he was “all in.” He wanted everything to do with Jesus.
But -- and here is the valuable lesson -- Jesus told Peter that he didn't need the “full-body treatment,’ just his feet. Peter was clean already, and just needed a “spot treatment” where he had come in contact with the filth of the world. For Peter, at that moment, it was his feet.
Like Peter, if we have obeyed the Gospel, we have been washed clean by the cleansing blood of the Lamb. Though we try to stay clean, we still have some contact with the world that leaves some spiritual -- lint -- dust -- stains -- on us. Those “spots” are the parts that need attention.
As Christians, we try to stay clean -- try to be free of the sin and filth of this world -- but we also know that we cannot remain completely clean.
Jesus knows this too. And that is why He -- even now -- washes the feet of His disciples!
Our challenge is to do the best we can to keep clean -- and make Jesus’ task easy.
1 John 1:7: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
John 9:25 - What Do I Need to Know?
John 9:25:
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
How many letters behind your name do you need to collect before you are useful to the Lord? Is there a minimum number of years you need to study, or a test that you take to allow you to serve the Lord?
Not according to a blind man -- no, make that a formerly blind man.
This man -- born blind -- had been directly benefitted by a miracle performed by Jesus. He had felt Christ spread mud over his eyes, and had followed His instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. And because of Jesus -- he could now see!
Everyone around him was either amazed, astonished or confused. Some had said that he couldn't be the same beggar they passed everyday -- but he adamantly confirmed that he was!
Once the Pharisees got involved, their usual legalistic attitude came into action -- this miracle had happened on a Sabbath. “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.”
These leaders questioned the man, but they were unwilling to believe his story, and brought in the man’s parents to verify that he had actually been born blind. His parents verified his story, but when they were pressured for more information, they simply said, “He is old enough. Ask him!”
The second round of questioning of the formerly blind man didn't go as expected. Speaking only from what he knew to be unquestionably true, he was able to stifle the arguments given by the Jewish leaders -- the same people, who if alive today, would undoubtedly have letters, degrees, and all manor of scholarly titles after their names.
Truth has a way of doing that.
He simply answered, “...I know this: I was blind, and now I see!” -- That was all he needed to tell them.
And, that is all we need, too. We simply need to tell what we know -- what we have read for ourselves in Scripture -- and what we know to be true from our own understanding and experience.
There is no “official interpretation” of Scripture that we need to have spoon-fed to us. Though scholarship is important -- the authority does not come from the interpreter -- but from the Word of God itself. What someone tells you, regardless of their “status,” does not matter if it conflicts with what you read in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Galatians 1:7b-8: Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
What matters most is -- our own study of God’s Word.
2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
How many letters behind your name do you need to collect before you are useful to the Lord? Is there a minimum number of years you need to study, or a test that you take to allow you to serve the Lord?
Not according to a blind man -- no, make that a formerly blind man.
This man -- born blind -- had been directly benefitted by a miracle performed by Jesus. He had felt Christ spread mud over his eyes, and had followed His instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. And because of Jesus -- he could now see!
Everyone around him was either amazed, astonished or confused. Some had said that he couldn't be the same beggar they passed everyday -- but he adamantly confirmed that he was!
Once the Pharisees got involved, their usual legalistic attitude came into action -- this miracle had happened on a Sabbath. “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.”
These leaders questioned the man, but they were unwilling to believe his story, and brought in the man’s parents to verify that he had actually been born blind. His parents verified his story, but when they were pressured for more information, they simply said, “He is old enough. Ask him!”
The second round of questioning of the formerly blind man didn't go as expected. Speaking only from what he knew to be unquestionably true, he was able to stifle the arguments given by the Jewish leaders -- the same people, who if alive today, would undoubtedly have letters, degrees, and all manor of scholarly titles after their names.
Truth has a way of doing that.
He simply answered, “...I know this: I was blind, and now I see!” -- That was all he needed to tell them.
And, that is all we need, too. We simply need to tell what we know -- what we have read for ourselves in Scripture -- and what we know to be true from our own understanding and experience.
There is no “official interpretation” of Scripture that we need to have spoon-fed to us. Though scholarship is important -- the authority does not come from the interpreter -- but from the Word of God itself. What someone tells you, regardless of their “status,” does not matter if it conflicts with what you read in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Galatians 1:7b-8: Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
What matters most is -- our own study of God’s Word.
2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Exodus 40:16 - Worship God His Way
Exodus 40:16:
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
You have probably heard a friend or two say they worship God whenever they are out in nature. Or maybe they tell you that they worship God in their “own personal way.” A few might have even told you they can only worship God when they are in a particular place.
God has not given us as detailed instructions as He gave to the Levites, but if you read the New Testament, you can see He has His wishes for us today as well.
Have you looked into the Scriptures to see if the way you are worshiping the Lord is His way? Having the desire to worship the Lord is a great thing, but it is important to worship Him in His way.
Had Noah decided that Cedar was more convenient than Gopher wood, would God have allowed the ark to float?
If having the Sabbath on Thursday made more sense to Moses than Saturday, would God have been pleased?
John 4:23-24: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
In Matthew 15:-9, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13: “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
How are you worshiping God? Carefully examine Scripture to see if you are pleasing God -- or just pleasing yourself.
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
You have probably heard a friend or two say they worship God whenever they are out in nature. Or maybe they tell you that they worship God in their “own personal way.” A few might have even told you they can only worship God when they are in a particular place.
God has not given us as detailed instructions as He gave to the Levites, but if you read the New Testament, you can see He has His wishes for us today as well.
Have you looked into the Scriptures to see if the way you are worshiping the Lord is His way? Having the desire to worship the Lord is a great thing, but it is important to worship Him in His way.
Had Noah decided that Cedar was more convenient than Gopher wood, would God have allowed the ark to float?
If having the Sabbath on Thursday made more sense to Moses than Saturday, would God have been pleased?
John 4:23-24: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
In Matthew 15:-9, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13: “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
How are you worshiping God? Carefully examine Scripture to see if you are pleasing God -- or just pleasing yourself.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Romans 12:2 - Think Outside the Box
Romans 12:2:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
In the previous verse, Paul told the Romans that even offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God was their true and proper worship. What he was telling them, was that they should not even consider themselves as their own -- but God’s. Who they were -- and what they had -- belonged to God.
If we follow Paul’s advice, we will look closely at all things from the perspective of God’s Will.
This means everything!
Have you considered whether you daily work is conflicting with God’s Will? -- Does it cause you to miss worship services? -- Tend to cause small “compromises” with what you know is right? -- Place you in situations that are not “healthy” for your spiritual growth?
How about your friends and associates? -- Is your influence on them moving you both closer to God -- or are they working against you, hindering your progress?
Examine your hobbies, recreation and all your personal pursuits. -- Do they glorify God, strengthen your spirit, magnify your efforts to further the Lord’s work -- or just satiate your desires?
Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
In the previous verse, Paul told the Romans that even offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God was their true and proper worship. What he was telling them, was that they should not even consider themselves as their own -- but God’s. Who they were -- and what they had -- belonged to God.
If we follow Paul’s advice, we will look closely at all things from the perspective of God’s Will.
This means everything!
Have you considered whether you daily work is conflicting with God’s Will? -- Does it cause you to miss worship services? -- Tend to cause small “compromises” with what you know is right? -- Place you in situations that are not “healthy” for your spiritual growth?
How about your friends and associates? -- Is your influence on them moving you both closer to God -- or are they working against you, hindering your progress?
Examine your hobbies, recreation and all your personal pursuits. -- Do they glorify God, strengthen your spirit, magnify your efforts to further the Lord’s work -- or just satiate your desires?
Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Matthew 27:21-22 - Barabbas? That's Me!
Matthew 27:21-22:
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
“You are free to go.”
Later that day, Barabbas was surely among those who watched Jesus die. Undoubtedly, as he watched, one thing he knew completely -- the one on the center cross was dying in his place.
He knew that the spikes that were driven through Jesus’ hands were his spikes… He knew in a very personal way that Jesus of Nazareth was dying in his place.
Matthew 26:16 indicates that Barabbas was also named "Jesus," but there’s another interesting thing about Barabbas’ name -- it is a compound word combining “Bar,” meaning “son of” -- and “Abba,” meaning “Father.” His name literally means “son of the Father.”
Think about that…
The "Jesus" whose name meant “the son of the father” was replaced by -- the "Jesus" who was the true Son of the Father.
You and I stand at the foot of the cross -- exactly where Barabbas stood.
Like Barabbas, the only hope you and I have is in the fact that another died in our place!
Though it is WE who are guilty -- it was JESUS who died in our place -- that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and live eternally with God and the redeemed in heaven.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
“You are free to go.”
Later that day, Barabbas was surely among those who watched Jesus die. Undoubtedly, as he watched, one thing he knew completely -- the one on the center cross was dying in his place.
He knew that the spikes that were driven through Jesus’ hands were his spikes… He knew in a very personal way that Jesus of Nazareth was dying in his place.
Matthew 26:16 indicates that Barabbas was also named "Jesus," but there’s another interesting thing about Barabbas’ name -- it is a compound word combining “Bar,” meaning “son of” -- and “Abba,” meaning “Father.” His name literally means “son of the Father.”
Think about that…
The "Jesus" whose name meant “the son of the father” was replaced by -- the "Jesus" who was the true Son of the Father.
You and I stand at the foot of the cross -- exactly where Barabbas stood.
Like Barabbas, the only hope you and I have is in the fact that another died in our place!
Though it is WE who are guilty -- it was JESUS who died in our place -- that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and live eternally with God and the redeemed in heaven.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Matthew 26:33-34 - Have You Heard the Rooster?
Matthew 26:33-34:
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will”“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Has anyone known you so well that they knew you better than you knew yourself?
We can often lie to ourselves and let our pride convince us that we are someone we really aren’t.
For instance, you might try and tell yourself that you can play your favorite sport better than most -- think you are smarter than the average person -- believe that you are of “star quality.”
But, then -- when you ask someone who knows you well, and he is honest with you -- you learn otherwise.
It hurts when that happens!
We want so badly to be the people we think we are, but when we are faced with the undeniable truth -- we see we are not.
So? What was Peter thinking when he spoke to Jesus?
He had been the self-appointed spokesman for the Twelve -- had been right in seeing who Christ was when He asked who he though He was -- had even been the one brave enough to try and step on water and (for a few seconds, anyway) was able to stand on the surface of the lake!
Now that Jesus was telling him that he was susceptible to weakness like the others, Peter still believed he was better.
“Of all Your followers,” Peter thought, “I will be the last to leave you!”
Once Judas showed up with the crowd that arrested Jesus, everything started happening fast. Peter was just doing what comes natural to all of us! He was seeking to keep himself out of harm’s way -- trying not to be seen as “one of those trouble-makers.”
His pride was again leading him in a dangerous direction -- until he heard the rooster crow!
Suddenly, Peter could see he was not the brave and bold man he thought he was. Now, he saw himself as the follower who did exactly what he said he would never do: he had turned away in Jesus’ darkest hour -- and denied that he even knew Him -- not just once, but three times!
Peter learned a harsh lesson about his own pride that night.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
There are times when we all are faced with the hard reality of who we are. We are confronted with the truth and proven to be imperfect, sinful human beings.
Has your prideful spirit gotten you in deep? Making promises and statements that you just cannot keep?
It is interesting that Peter, himself, shared the importance of humility when he wrote in 1 Peter 5:4-6:
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, the he may lift you up in due time.
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