John 13:36-38

John 13:36-38

Simon Peter says to Him, “Lord, where do you go?”  Jesus replied to him, “Where I go you are not powerful enough now to follow me – but you will follow afterwards.”  Peter says to Him, “Lord, for what reason am I not powerful enough to follow you now?  I will set down my life for you.”  Jesus replied, “You will lay down your life for me?  Amen, amen, I say to you that the rooster should surely not crow until when you will deny me three times.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In these verses we really get to see the passion of the new disciple.  Yes, Peter has likely been following Jesus for the better part of three years at this point.  But he’s still new.  He’s still growing.  He’s still developing spirituality within him.  As with most people who are learning a new skill, Peter thinks that he is invincible.  He hasn’t gotten far enough past the newness to understand that the real test isn’t when things are new and exciting but when life is tough or when life is simply mundane.  Anyone can feel bold and spiritual when their mentor is close and speaking passionately.  But the true test is when the mentor is gone and the disciple must find it within himself to remain faithful and true.  We cannot help but love Peter’s passion here.  But at the same time, we must also understand that his passion exists largely because of his proximity to Christ.

When have you been brash or bold in words but unable to muster yourself to live up to your boldness?  Why does this happen within us?  What can we do to understand this and move beyond it?

Second Thought:

Jesus tells Peter that he is not powerful enough to follow Christ now, but he will be.  This is both a warning as well as an acclamation.  It is a warning because Peter will eventually die for his faith.  Church tradition tells us that Peter is crucified upside down in Rome because of his faith.  Peter will follow in the footsteps of Christ.  However, in this is an inherent acclamation.  Peter may not have what it takes now, but God is not yet finished with him.  Peter will have what it takes.  Peter will become a strong man of faith.  Peter will get it together and will become an incredible follower of Christ.

Why is it important to realize our current limitations?  Why is it important to have people in our life that can see past our limitations?  What does it say about God in that He is in it for the long haul with us?

Third Thought:

I cannot imagine hearing those concluding words from Christ.  “You will deny me.”  I can only imagine how broken Peter must have been at that point.  I can only imagine how Peter must have felt betrayed in thinking that Jesus didn’t believe in him.  I can only imagine how broken Peter will feel when he realizes that Jesus was right and he was wrong.  I can only imagine how that moment of brokenness actually revealed his true character.  I can only imagine how this moment actually served to make Peter stronger in the long run.  Sometimes our greatest points of growth begin in the pain of our own vulnerability.  Sometimes to become strong we must expose our cracks.

Where have you denied Christ?  In those moments, did you crumble and allow your faith to erode or have those moments strengthened your resolve and caused you to be more faithful?  How do you move past failure into strength?

Passage for Tomorrow: John 14:1-7