March 9
Num 11:24-13:33 | PS 52:1-9 | Prov 11:1-3 | Mark 14:22-52
I had a nice conversation and was asked a genuine question by someone that I met while on vacation when speaking to him about God. After explaining to him that all of his sins: past, present, and future were placed on the cross two thousand years ago, he wanted to know why he still struggles with certain sins. After telling him that I too struggle with sin, being no better than he, what Jesus did was take away the penalty for sin, and when we abide in Him, our bondage to sin. We will see in Peter that he had an unrealistic view of himself which led to his being devastated when he denied Jesus. There is a tendency for us to see ourselves as we wish we were, and we go on to disappoint ourselves, but we don’t disappoint God, for He knows us and He knows our weaknesses. Some have said to me how unfair it is to have received the punishment received by Adam due to his sin. They miss the point that none of us would have fared any better.
After the Passover meal, Jesus warns all of His apostles, that they would all stumble and flee Him that night, to which we read in Mark 14:29-31, “Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” Before Peter goes on later that night to actually deny Jesus (Mark 6:66-72), but, before Jesus is arrested, Jesus is pouring His heart out to His Father and asks Peter and two others to watch, but we read in 6:37-38, “Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
No one can question Peter’s dedication or devotion. He simply thought more of himself than was warranted. We read in Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Does this mean that Peter was a prideful man? No, not necessarily. Any of us can fall victim to this sin from time to time. As Jesus said to Peter, John and James, but can apply just as well to us, “the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak”. We often read tones into written words. When Jesus approached the three sleeping apostles and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough!” in Mark 14:41, I often read into this a frustrated or angry tone. But I believe that Jesus knowing them and loving them said this tenderly to them. Our strength comes from Him. Our failures, and they will come frequently, does not make Him love us any less. Our sins will come. All we need to do is come to Him and mercy and grace will follow from Him (even if there are at times earthly consequences for our actions).
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: