LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, March 26, 2020

I tend to be a lot like the Apostle Peter. Here’s one example.

When I was in my third year of college, I joined with three other guys and rented an apartment not far from campus. The apartment complex had a swimming pool. One day, while swimming, a girl came to the pool. I started a conversation with her. She asked me if I was a student. After saying I was, she asked where I went to college. My brain quickly flashed through a variety of scenarios based on the answer I would give her. I assumed that if I said I went to a Christian College, that my chances to get to know her would be eliminated. So I lied. Not a good start, and the guilt caused me to walk away and go back to my apartment.

During dinner with His disciples, Jesus began speaking about going somewhere they would not be able to join Him. He was referring to the place of death on the cross. Peter argued with the Lord, and boldly declared that no matter what happened he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. He lied.

John 13:36-38 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” ³⁷Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” ³⁸Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Jesus predicted that Peter would fail. He told Peter to his face that within 12 hours he would deny that he even knew Jesus, let alone followed Him. Peter chose self-preservation and self-benefit over faithfulness to Christ.

I wonder how many times every day I do the same thing. I did it at the swimming pool. Do I continue to do it when I am in the company of people whom I believe will reject me if I am faithful to Jesus? Am I guilty of self-preservation or self-benefit?

Good questions to consider.

Pastor John