Good Morning!
We covered a couple transitions yesterday. Today, I have kinda-sorta the same thing except different. This one has more to do with an interruption due to a chapter and heading break.
Recall, if you will, when Jesus warned Peter that he will deny him three times. There are multiple accounts of this in the gospels. Let’s take a look at John’s.
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 me afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus 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.
That’s the end of the chapter and so the end of the discussion, right? If we stop there, our minds naturally go to the scene of the actual denial with Peter weeping bitterly. John give us more insight about this scene. In it, we get the feel of Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ prediction. Unfortunately, there is a chapter break that messes that whole story up. Let’s look at it anew with the interruption removed:
John 13:38, 14:1-4
Jesus 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. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.
Obviously, Peter must have been devastated to learn that he would deny Jesus. In fact, it must have been incomprehensible. Let’s not forget, it was Peter who hacked off the guy’s ear at Jesus’ arrest. Peter was no coward. Yet, Jesus went out of his way to not only reassure Peter but all of the disciples as well. They must have needed it. Especially Peter.
Perhaps there is a lesson in here for us. Maybe, just maybe, we fail to hear God’s reassurances in our lives because of an artificial interruption. Can you see that happening? I can. Don’t miss this. How many times do we neglect God’s soothing, comforting words and instead worry, fret, and live in fear. To think that we can open up our bibles and receive God’s comfort and “forget”! And if we don’t have our bibles? Don’t forget the word is written on our hearts. We all have memorized plenty of scripture even if we can’t recount it word for word or tell you the book it’s in – let alone the chapter or verses. The Holy Spirit resides in us; therefore, so does scripture.
Father, I ask that we ponder these things that we may renew our minds and actually look for these artificial interruptions to destroy them. They are obstacles, even strongholds. Let us remove everything that comes between us. Amen.
Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers