Word@Work 189 - Mark 14:66-70
Published: Fri, 08/15/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:66-70 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entrance. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." (NIV)
What a pathetic sight, the larger-than-life fisherman was trying to be brave - yet he was also trying to hide. Warming himself by the courtyard fire to take the chill off the night, Peter thought he would merge in with the crowd. No so! A servant girl spotted him and drew attention to him. The mouth that professed undying loyalty to Jesus in Mark 14:29,31; now claimed he knew nothing about Jesus. As he shuffled off, everybody was watching him: they listened to a crescendo of denials in his strong northern Galilean accent.
Peter was now unexpectedly centre-stage. It was just where he did not want to be - even though he had boasted that he could handle it for Jesus. He was about to be trapped ... a thousand pictures may have been racing through his mind, but they were all about Peter. The words of Jesus had been forgotten, he was fighting for survival, and he felt sickeningly alone. Trapped like a rabbit in the headlights (but much more vocal), he forgot he was a friend of Jesus, and tried to swear his way out.
Ever been trapped by a simple question, about your relationship with Jesus? Many smiling churchgoers are not so brave at work or the family party. We may be concerned about what other think about us, or how the atheist or cynic will shred our flimsy intellectual arguments. We may just be tired of a constant barrage from those who claim to love us, or are tired by being the daily object of fun. Ducking, weaving, hiding and lying are no solutions. Just look them in the eye and tell them that you love Jesus, despite your faults; because He has loved you and does so every day!
Prayer: Father God. Help me always to be true about my relationship with Jesus. Help me to know Your presence with me as I take Your side at work and at home. To Your praise and glory. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
What a pathetic sight, the larger-than-life fisherman was trying to be brave - yet he was also trying to hide. Warming himself by the courtyard fire to take the chill off the night, Peter thought he would merge in with the crowd. No so! A servant girl spotted him and drew attention to him. The mouth that professed undying loyalty to Jesus in Mark 14:29,31; now claimed he knew nothing about Jesus. As he shuffled off, everybody was watching him: they listened to a crescendo of denials in his strong northern Galilean accent.
Peter was now unexpectedly centre-stage. It was just where he did not want to be - even though he had boasted that he could handle it for Jesus. He was about to be trapped ... a thousand pictures may have been racing through his mind, but they were all about Peter. The words of Jesus had been forgotten, he was fighting for survival, and he felt sickeningly alone. Trapped like a rabbit in the headlights (but much more vocal), he forgot he was a friend of Jesus, and tried to swear his way out.
Ever been trapped by a simple question, about your relationship with Jesus? Many smiling churchgoers are not so brave at work or the family party. We may be concerned about what other think about us, or how the atheist or cynic will shred our flimsy intellectual arguments. We may just be tired of a constant barrage from those who claim to love us, or are tired by being the daily object of fun. Ducking, weaving, hiding and lying are no solutions. Just look them in the eye and tell them that you love Jesus, despite your faults; because He has loved you and does so every day!
Prayer: Father God. Help me always to be true about my relationship with Jesus. Help me to know Your presence with me as I take Your side at work and at home. To Your praise and glory. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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W@W189 | Word@Work 2008 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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