Emphatically

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

EMPHATICALLY

Mark 14:27-31

27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'   28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."  29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today — yes, tonight — before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."  31 But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

NIV

We enter into the last days of Jesus and the series of events or moments which define the very purpose for him coming, the salvation of our souls. These moments in Christ’s life here on earth are not pleasant in many ways, but at the same time they are the events which bring about God’s plan for our redemption and therefore they should also be pleasant for us, in that through them we can be saved from death and enjoy eternal life. As difficult as it is to remember those times, and watching the ‘Passion of Christ’ gives us such a visual rendering of those moments, a rendering almost to vivid to watch, it is also a time which we should be thankful and full of joy to God for sending Jesus to die for us, although it is a sobering thought as well. AS we begin these events, these moments we see Peter being very emphatic about his not ever disowning Christ. It is interesting that Jesus has been telling them the truth for the past three years or so and Peter has believed everything Jesus has said. Peter was even the first to proclaim that Jesus was the Christ, the messiah, the Son of the living God. One denomination has proclaimed that this great man Peter was the first Spiritual leader of their church. We know from later accounts Peter was indeed a man full of the Spirit and did great things, but we also know Peter was but a man, not a god, not any different than us, just a plain ordinary man trying his best to follow Christ. But here we see Peter being emphatic, “Even if all fall away, I will not”. How prideful and full of foolishness to believe Jesus all those years and then turn around and call Jesus a liar. Of course we will see Jesus did not lie, and Peter sees the error of his foolishness, but for now we should focus on this emphatic proclamation of Peter.  

There is something about being emphatic which makes what is said look like a sure thing, but we know that is not the case with Peter. It is a good thing that we are all so much stronger than Peter and more emphatic about our never ever denying or disowning Christ, except we know in our hearts that is also not true. There are some believers who are emphatic about their not sinning anymore now that they have been justified, sanctified and whatever else, but the simple fact is, Jesus tells us the truth, we will all fall away in some manner at some time, denying him in some many by our continual yielding to certain temptations. Peter’s denial of Christ did not lose him his salvation; in fact it made him more aware of his humanity and brought about a deeper trust in Christ which allowed him to do great things for the kingdom of God. If we could but realize our humanity and see our weaknesses and know our failures and understand they do not lose our salvation either, but can make us stronger in our trusting Jesus. When we look to our righteousness in any way we might lose, but when we learn to trust Jesus completely for all things, especially our salvation then we too can do great things for the kingdom of God. It is far better to be humble then to be emphatic.