follow = to go in the direction indicated by something / obey something: to act in accordance with something, especially with instructions or directions given by somebody else
*Peter was called to be one of the 12 that was sent forth with power to heal the sick & cast out devils.
He witnessed the miraculous catch of fish, walked on water, saw Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead & was present at Jesus’ transfiguration.
►Jesus has told them that he would be crucified but would rise from the dead >
*Mark 10:33 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
34 And they shall mock him,and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
►Jesus shares the Passover meal with the 12 & tells the disciples that they will be offended that night because of him... “for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.” Matt 26:31-32...
(offend = cause somebody anger, resentment or hurt feelings)
►Peter answers >
Matt 26:33 “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.”
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee
►Then Jesus goes to the garden to pray, taking Peter, James & John with him & is arrested in the garden & led away to Caiaphas >
Mark 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. (Peter expected to see Jesus use his power to defeat his enemies)
54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
*Peter had walked with Jesus, shared bread with him & watched him do great miracles, but when Jesus surrendered himself to the high priest instead of showing his power, he was offended. Jesus had warned him that he had to be offered in death, but also promised him that he would rise victorious. How soon Peter gave way to doubt & fear! What happened to his faith? When Jesus was taken away, Peter may have felt a bit forsaken & when he himself was questioned, I’m sure he feared for his own fate. He apparently had forgotten that Christ promised he would never leave or forsake us. (He. 13:5)
We, sometimes like Peter tend to live in the moment & we can’t see past what’s happening in the now. We’re supposed to remember that, “faith is the substance of things hoped for.” (He. 11:1) It’s easy to have faith when you’re not in the midst of trouble or affliction. But, if we can just hold on & trust, God will see us through. He may not answer, or work things out the way we expect, but he is faithful to keep us in all situations. >Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
*When the cock crowed the third time, the Lord looked at Peter & Peter remembered the sad words that Jesus had spoken to him, “you will deny me thrice.” Then Peter wept bitter tears of regret & shame. In his heartbreak, he touched the heart of Jesus! Never again would he deny Christ! Instead he would one day give his own life for the gospel.
If we come to a time in our life that we realize we are not following close to Jesus, we can find our way back with tears of repentance. God is faithful to forgive us, & gently teach us how to stay close to him. He desires to be near us & take care of us. We need only love him & seek his will in our lives.
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