A String of Pearls

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Matthew 26: "Jesus Is Not My Friend" (February 13)

Peter cut off the ear of the Servant of the High Priest---an angry move---does Peter think he has to do something since Jesus didn't.  What about me?  Do I think Jesus needs my help sometimes?  Jesus responds in Matthew 26:53 "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels?" Do we think that God's Hands are tied in our troubles?  HE cannot do anything about them?  "But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"  They seized Jesus and brought Him to Caiphas and Peter followed at a distance. Can we follow Jesus at a distance? Do we live the mantra, "I do not know the man."  There's a statue of Peter's Denial on the property of Caiphas' home in Jerusalem.  The placard interprets Matthew 26:74 as saying that not only did Peter not know Jesus but the verse in the Greek can be translated: "He was not my friend."  Peter, the betrayer.  Denied knowing his friend three times - Matthew 26:75 - and Peter wept bitterly over his sin.

4 comments:

  1. Please pray for a young lady named Nadia, she is here studying under a Yoga master, who she considers to be her spirtiual leader.
    I told her that we believe in Jesus, she can talk to him directly and He will listen and speak to her heart.
    So many are seeking, following the mob, not realizing that He is here, in the midst. He has been teaching, loving, healing.
    When I read today's scripture, I had tears in my eyes. How many times I missed opportunites to share because I just kept silent?
    Remember Nadia today, and all those like her who are listening to the voice of the pretender.
    Jesus is real, He is here, he is love.

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  2. Following at a distance--or is it possible?

    Nadia-praying, Jan. So many seeking at a distance, and too much is in their peripheral vision to distort, conceal real Love, real Truth, real Jesus.

    Weeping with Peter today over blatant mistrust, denial, and sin in my own life.

    Blessed Sunday of reconcilliation to you all.

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  3. Peter. Fighting for Jesus with sword one minute...denying him the next.

    To me, one of the saddest verses in the Bible is the moment after denial, Christ locks eyes with Peter.

    The guilt cut deeply.

    But Jesus loved him still. Jesus spilt his blood for this fresh, raw sin. Betrayed by Peter. And many others. Peter needed a saviour. God provided.

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  4. Praying for Nadia. The Darling of Heaven is calling her name. Nadia. She's a seeker. May the Truth sink deep in her heart.

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