Disowning Our Lord

Chuckle: "Adolescence is that period when a boy refuses to believe that someday he will be as ignorant as his parents."

Quote: "He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." --J. F. Clarke

Jesus said to Simon Peter: "I tell you the truth, . . . this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same" (Matthew 26:34-35 NIV).

Jesus had predicted his death and resurrection to his disciples. On the night before he was crucified, Jesus ate the Passover meal with them. There he identified Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray him into the hands of his enemies. Jesus went on to tell his disciples they would all lose courage and "fall away" from him – in reality, disowning Him. Sure enough, when Jesus was arrested, all the disciples deserted him and fled even though they had all said they never would even if it meant their deaths.

However, Peter followed at a distance as they took Jesus away. After Jesus was taken before the high priest and the whole Sanhedrin, Peter was confronted three times by people who accused him of being a follower of Jesus. Each time, Peter vehemently denied that he even knew Jesus. After he had denied/disowned Jesus the third time, the rooster crowed.

"Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75 NIV).

As Christians, most of us, if asked, would say as the disciples did: "I will never disown my Lord." But how bold are we in being identified with him? How bold are we in expressing our faith before others out of fear of what they might say or do? How bold are we in letting others know of our allegiance to Christ in the workplace, classroom, or family gatherings?

We may be disowning our Lord by our actions -- by the way we live and our silence about our relationship with him. How much evidence is there in your life and mine that we are fully devoted followers of Christ? Is your love for your Lord overshadowed by a fear of what others may think or say about you? Like Peter, a time will come when we will deeply regret our failure to be identified with the One who loved us so much that he died for us.

In many places today, around the world, Christians are being tortured and hideously martyred simply because they boldly proclaim their faith and allegiance to Jesus Christ. Sadly, persecution of Christians is likely to get even worse before it gets better. Let’s join our hearts in prayer that we will have the courage to be faithful to our Lord regardless of the persecutions we may endure. 

Love, Jerry & Dotse