When the Rooster Crows, P.2
“But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” Matthew 26:33
A question to those who have raised kids or worked closely with kids. Have you ever found them doing something completely nonsensical and asked them why? Have you ever explicitly told them not to do something, only to watch them minutes later doing the very thing you told them not to do? Again, have you asked them why? If so, how many times have they looked back at you with those innocent yet not-so-innocent eyes and replied, “I don’t know?” If you find yourself completely perplexed, wondering how you can exchange your creation for another (just kidding), remember this: you did and said the same thing when you were young. In fact, the reality is that we are imperfect, and our decisions often reflect that condition. Certainly, during our youth, however, whether young or more “seasoned,” we all fall victim to our flesh. I can certainly relate to the Apostle Paul, who, in the seventh chapter of Romans, stated, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15) Paul goes on in verses eighteen through twenty to tell us that we are fighting a war in our flesh. A battle that, unfortunately, we far too often lose.
“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.”
Romans 7:15 NASB
Jesus, having lived thirty-three years on this earth, understood the human condition well as revealed in His request to the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, telling them, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) What a powerful and painful truth He spoke about His dearest and closest disciples. What a painful and powerful truth He reveals about each of us. So how do we recover when, despite our best intentions, we fall to our sinful nature, acting according to our flesh and betraying ourselves and perhaps those we love?
In last week’s reflection, we examined Peter’s statement to Jesus in Matthew 26:33.
“But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”
As the story unfolds, Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Chief Priests, would then suffer a personal blow, one that He had predicted days earlier. Peter, whom Jesus referred to as ‘the rock’ (Matthew 16:18), would deny Him not once or twice but three times.
Pause and reflect on this truth. Jesus knew He would be betrayed prior to His arrest, and He knew by whom. He could have deserted the disciples at that very moment. Instead, having the power and might of all of heaven, He humbled Himself and subjected to the will of the Father, to the point of death on the cross. Even more, as the list of those who betrayed Him crossed His mind, it terrifies me to know that my name was also on that list. I, along with everyone who ever lived. And still, He did not desert the cause or betray the mission; He stayed faithful to His Father’s will until the impossible task was complete. He cried out, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Once again, I ask, how do we recover when, despite our best intentions, we fall to our sinful nature, acting according to our flesh and betraying ourselves and perhaps those we love?
Perhaps I am asking the wrong question. Maybe the right question is, How did Jesus respond to man’s sinful nature and betrayal? We will explore this more next week as I wrap up this series. In the meantime, I recommend that you read the following.
In the Word
Prayer
Lord, you know me, my every thought and action. You examine the condition of my heart. Despite my greatest desire to obey your commands, walk faithfully with you, and love my neighbour too often, I fall short. Yet, in your infinite love, you took my imperfections with you to the cross. You completed the task, and by the power of your blood, I am made perfect and blameless before God. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy, grace and love.
Amen,
Brad
