This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Cross Examined: Were you with him? (LISTEN HERE)
One of the toughest situations for a Christian is when their association with Jesus is called into question with a very real negative consequence lurking if one would claim allegiance to Jesus.
At the extreme of these situations are areas of the world where truly one’s life can be taken if it is made known they are a Christian.
In the United States, we are blessed to not face this type of situation, and I pray we never will. However, do we not cower for less?
Peter found himself in a situation which had potential negative consequences for him if he was honest and claimed connection to Jesus.
Jesus had warned him, but in the face of pressure he caved.
Luke 22:54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”
57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
I am truly grateful that Jesus chose Peter to be one of his disciples.
He creates situations that from the outside appear to be “How could you do that Peter?” type of situations, but then we pause and realize, “I could do the same thing.”
How true is that.
Peter didn’t know if he would be the next one shackled and put on trial.
It was easier for him to deny Jesus than face unknown consequences.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation?
At work, your faith remains hidden for fear of potential job loss or lack of promotion?
At school, you fear ridicule from classmates if you are too vocal about your faith.
On social media, you don’t want to deal with the haters that may comment on your faith focused post.
It’s in the back of our mind.
Satan often wins small victories when we are not as bold, not as confident, not as clear that we are connected to Christ.
And we find ourselves doing the same thing as Peter.
“I don’t know him.”
Apply: What situations do you find yourself in that lead you to hide your faith? What encouragement do you receive from this interaction with Peter?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love that stays with me even when I fail to stay with you. Give me strength to be bold for you, even if the outcome could be negative.