Journal Entry, February 26, 2004
Mark 14:27-31
Peter boasted to Jesus, “The others might leave you but I
will follow you even to your death.” Jesus replied, “Peter, you are wrong about
this, in fact you will deny me three
times before the cock crows twice.”
This man Peter is a very interesting person to modern day
readers. He is best described as impetuous. William Barclay describes him as
“having a quick temper and given to quarrelling, a typical Galilean. But Peter,
like the Galileans, had a tender chivalrous side.” Barclay describes him
further as “emotional, easily roused by an appeal to adventure and loyal to the
end.”*
Tonight, I went to see “The Passion of the Christ”,
depicting the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life. The movie showed Peter boasting
that he would follow Jesus to the
end. In the depiction of the three denials I saw Peter as he realized what he
had done. He looked stunned then devastated.
Each of us has a little bit of Simon Peter in our make-up.
We say things that sound great, eve admirable. But then reality sets in and we
have to face our humanity. And wait for an opportunity to try to do better.
Peter does get to tell Jesus that he loves Him. Peter is restored, actually
commissioned to carry Christ’s message and Christianity to others.
UPDATE:
Yes, there is a bit of Peter in each of us, especially me. I
find myself thinking about doing this or that and the project doesn’t get done,
doesn’t even get beyond the mental planning stage. Or I abandon said project
when, I don’t see it going anywhere or to a place I like.
Maybe, the things I think about
are not what Jesus wants me to do. Maybe He has something else in mind for me
at that time. Yes, I have been impetuous
and put my foot in my mouth several times over the years. I am human . . . so
was Peter. Of the principles in the story of Holy Week, I identify with Peter.
With whom do you identify?
Llinked to:enthusiasticallydawn.com
Llinked to:enthusiasticallydawn.com
Graphic:quietspirt-following my king.
1. * William Barclay The Master’s Men