Peter’s story has always resonated with me. Many call Peter a coward. I disagree. If he was a coward then all of the disciples were cowards. It doesn’t really matter if he was a coward or not. All men have fallen short. We have a courageous champion to stand for us and His name is Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and He has prevailed.
Peter loved the Lord. He promised he would never deny the Lord. In fact, he is the disciple that cut Malchus’s ear off when Malchus attempted to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Jesus made Peter put the sword up and explained “If you live by the sword you will die by the sword”. Jesus promptly and miraculously healed Malchus as well. I suggest that Jesus wants us to live by a sword alright but it’s a spiritual sword which is the rightly divided Word of God. The Word of Truth, of Love, and of Life. Rightly divided the Sword of the Spirit is able to heal, transform, and make peace. Incorrectly handled and not rightly discerned it can be used for nefarious purposes to cause shame, guilt, pain, regret, and spiritual death. Peter used a carnal weapon and was scolded by His savior. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual weapons.
Before that, the disciples were asked to watch and pray with Jesus. Particularly, Peter, James and John. Even though they pledged their undying loyalty to Jesus they couldn’t stay awake and would fall asleep three times in the Garden while Jesus prayed that this cup of suffering pass from him unless it was inevitably part of the Father’s will. Each time Jesus checked on them, they were 💤 asleep. After Jesus checked on them the last time He told them to “Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
During my faith walk, I have fallen asleep on my Lord many many times. He knew I would just like He knew Peter would. If I could have stayed awake and not entered and succumbed to temptation Jesus wouldn’t have had to die for my sin. That’s my flesh nature though. To fall asleep. To be idle. My Spirit is willing but my flesh is oh so weak. I needed a savior. I needed one who doesn’t fall asleep to keep me, protect me, love me, and save me from myself. I can sleep on and take rest now. Jesus did the work that I could not do. He kept the law, was spotless, beautiful, sinless and never did any harm. He settled my account and now my conscience can take rest in knowing the Perfect sacrifice has been made once and for all time. My past, present and future debts have been paid in full because of one man’s obedience.
I love you Jesus. I walk in the newness of life with all of your followers. Holy Spirit please teach me how to rightly divide the word of truth and to never hurt a soul.
A testimony Sunday, September 5, 2021