Day 14: Promises and Roosters

3rd Thursday in Lent

Scripture: John 13:37-38

^{NRS 37} Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." ³⁸ Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

Devotional: When Jesus told the disciples He had to go away, the one with freshly washed feet, a full belly, and ears that still rung with Jesus’ explanation of agape, wanted to join Him. In an effort to convince Jesus that he was an appropriate travel companion, Peter boldly proclaimed, “I will lay my life down for you.” The space between Peter’s proclamation and Jesus’ response left room for wonder. “Had Peter finally understood one of Jesus’ teachings or was it just the wine talking?” Peter professed to have the greater lover that Jesus taught the disciples was laying down one’s life for another. Did he really? Had he connected self-sacrificing, laying your life down kind of love with agape? This is an important moment of teaching. Of the three primary Greek words for love, eros, phileo and agape, Jesus has defined one as self-sacrificing. In declaring that he will lay his life down for Jesus, Peter has professed agape for his Master. Jesus was incredulous, “Oh will you? Peter, once again your mouth has betrayed you. You don’t really love me as much as you think you do. In fact, let this be proof to you, before the cock crows you are going to deny me three times to save your own neck.” Peter doesn’t get it and still won’t when the empty promises weigh on his heart as the rooster greets the dawn. But this is just a chapter in the larger story of Peter. One day he will get it and agape is going to play an important part. We need to remember this definition when Peter and Jesus have a resurrection breakfast on the beach, but we still need to connect with this story for today. It is easy to make bold promises around the Passover table in the comfort of the upper room. It is just as easy to let those promises slide in the presence of poultry when the weight of the world pushes in on us. But before we condemn Peter’s failing boldness in the moment, we must consider it within the whole. While Peter failed in Caiaphas’ courtyard, he will fulfill his promise in Rome as he hangs upside down on a cross. Peter boldly professed who he wanted to be; he just wasn’t there yet. In the power of Christ, anything is possible. In our Christian walks, let’s boldly proclaim who we want to be and make promises that can only be kept in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we walk in faith, in God’s time, we can fulfill them. Sure, we can choose to be cautious and content Christians who never over step our bounds, but sometimes greatness requires such bold promises. Initially we may fail, but when we depend upon God, they will be fulfilled and reveal His glory.

Prayer: God inspire us today to make bold promises that take us out of our comfort zone into a place where we must depend on You to be able to keep our promise.

Song of praise:                   Flawless by Mercy Me

                                                

Spiritual discipline challenge: Meditation is our spiritual discipline for today. Meditate on the following question, “To what bold act is God calling me?”