Meditate.
Meanwhile, Peter was in the
courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came
by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and
said, "You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth." But Peter
denied it. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he
went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl
saw him standing there, she began telling the others, "This man is
definitely one of them!" But Peter denied it again. A little later some of
the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, "You must be one of them,
because you are a Galilean." Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm
lying--I don't know this man you're talking about!" And immediately the
rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's
mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you
even know me." And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72
I don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s what Peter said. But if he wasn’t there to see what was going on…what was happening with Jesus, why would he have been there? It was logical for someone to ask him if he was a follower of Jesus. But Peter denied it. He denied Jesus a second time…and then a third time. Then the rooster crowed. Jesus knew just what was going to happen. He had told Peter that he would deny His Lord three times before the rooster crowed.
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, Peter--this
very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even
know me." Matthew 26:34
The wonderful thing is that Jesus,
after His resurrection, forgave Peter three times as He told him to feed His
sheep. He didn’t use the words, “I forgive you” but I think the interaction
between the two men shows the intention of repentance and forgiveness.
A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you
love me?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He
said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus
said, "Then feed my sheep. John 21:17
Have you ever denied that you are
a follower of Jesus Christ? Beware.
Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I
will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me
here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew
10:32-33
Denial is a serious issue. Did
Peter already know what Jesus had said about denying Him? Yes. He should have
been aware of this since this was part of Jesus teaching of His disciples right
before He sent them out to minister the nation of Israel. Read it for yourself
in Matthew 10.
Beware of denial. Instead be prepared to give an account to others about the hope you have in Jesus.
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do
good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for
it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship
Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope,
always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep
your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed
when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember,
it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to
suffer for doing wrong! 1 Peter 3:13-17
Is your relationship with the Lord is growing? Are you suffering…are you denying Christ…or are you being bold and offering hope to others?
Prayer ~ Lord, on this day that You faced death for me…fill me anew with the Holy Spirit that I would speak boldly for You.
Verses of Salvation ~ For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) Romans 8:22-25
Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table
Jesus was offered vinegar on the cross as it was known to relieve pain. He refused it and continued to suffer for you and me. We can use vinegar to flavor foods and by infusing them with herbs it not only adds nutrients but more flavor.
Herbal Infused Vinegar
2 cups vinegar – Red or white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 cup fresh herbs or ½ cup dried herbs – dill, basil, sage, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, tarragon, lemon balm, rosemary or even lavender. Experiment to find the ones you like best.
Rinse the herbs. Place in a sterile jar and crush with the back of
a spoon. Pour the vinegar over the herbs. Cover with a non-metallic lid or
plastic wrap. Place jar in a dark place for at least a week. Taste it to see if
it is to your liking. If so, strain and bottle the vinegar. Cap tightly and label
the jar. If not flavorful enough, let it steep another week or two. If you want
a stronger herb flavor, add more herbs. Use as a marinade or in salad dressing.
Drizzle over roasted vegetables or meat as you are cooking it.
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