April 09, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial & Grieves Alone
Scripture: Matthew 26:31-46(NIV)
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Devotional
I think there were times when I had opportunities to recognize Jesus in front of others and I chose silence. There may be a time that I can share an important life story that may help the person I am with to move closer to God in their faith journey. I don’t want to choose silence. That may mean I might have to make myself vulnerable, but Christ will guide me through that opportunity.
There were times I thought that I didn’t want to be recognized as a Holy Roller, or I didn’t want to be known as a Jesus Freak. Wow! Thinking that thought is most likely the same thing as denying Jesus. I don’t want to be that person. I have Good News to share and I want to share it.
I read about Peter’s denial. He denied Jesus three times and was mortified when the cock crowed and he remembered that Jesus told him that he would deny him. I get strength from that passage because I recognize that Jesus later used Peter to be the cornerstone of the Church. Jesus uses us in spite of our human weaknesses. God and the Holy Spirit can guide us past our self-diagnosed shortfalls. God can use the Holy Spirit to empower us and give us the strength and words to bring glory to Him.
I pray for God’s discernment for each of us reading this devotional. May God use us for his glory. May His will be done.
Poem
How Long
Psalm 6
I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
Psalm 6: 6, 8-10
How long, O Father, will they stray
Despite my call of comfort
My tears fall, best friends will betray
Alone I am, ‘cept You
Though all creation has their home
There is no bed to rest me
A prophet king, I am alone
My mighty men desert me
Though evil voices in the night
Assail my dreams and taunt me
Receive my prayer in heaven’s heights
And wrap me in your mercy
‘Though shame, anguish rap at my door
I’ll not receive their taunting
Instead, I’ll face both death and gore—
With You, I am not wanting
