Living for Christ!

Sometime back, I heard a sermon on Peter based on Matthew 26: 33-35 & 69-75. Peter was one of the twelve disciples closely associated with Jesus. In Matthew 16: 18, we see Jesus saying, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church…." But during the last supper with His disciples, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny, and disown him before the rooster crowed the next morning. When Jesus was brought into the high priest's house where He was held in prison, Peter had followed at a distance. In this account, it very surprising to note how the people who saw Peter perceived him. The first servant girl told Peter, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee(Mt 26:69)." Then another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth(Mt 26:71)." And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you (Mt 26:73)." The Gospel of Matthew states that Peter denied Jesus in front of everyone, thus making a public witness, affirming this with an oath (Matthew 26:72). The people around him identified Peter with Jesus. But he denied Jesus with his words and actions!

It is easy to see the problem with Peter. But today, as we look forward to another season of Lent, we are called to self-examination and repentance. We have to take a real look at ourselves, and see how our lives deny and disown Jesus. The people around us ‘see' us to be Christians or followers or disciples of Christ. But our actions and associations vehemently disown Jesus. Our words and life deny Jesus. The Bible says in Matthew 10:32,33, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." How we live our lives, matter to God!

My friend, the question that is facing us today is, how am I denying Jesus? God is giving us one more chance to repent and return to Him. Shall we say the prayer of Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, and commit ourselves to the Lord? "O Lord Jesus Christ, look upon us with those eyes of thine wherewith thou didst look upon Peter in the hall; that with Peter we may repent and, by the same love be forgiven; for thine mercy's sake. Amen."

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 25th February 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 27th February 2019

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