After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them, “You will all falter in your faithfulness to me. It is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep will go off in all directions. But after I’m raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else stumbles, I won’t.” But Jesus said to him, “I assure you that on this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But Peter insisted, “If I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” And they all said the same thing. (Mark 14:26-31, CEB)
Jesus told Peter what was going to happen and Peter still says, “If I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” Which for those of us who know they story is laughable.
It reminds me of the beginning of the movie, My Sister’s Keeper. There is a quote that reads, “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans…”
Peter’s plan was to die with Jesus, but when push came to shove, his self-preservation kicked in and Peter denied knowing Jesus, which Jesus said would happen.
So remember the rock of the original disciples didn’t hold it together and fell short. So don’t be hard on yourself when you fall away or look to self-preservation rather than following Christ.
Love like Jesus. Which means loving and forgiving yourself.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 