WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Have you ever done something impulsive and regretted it? Then you’ll be able to empathise with Peter here. Thank the Lord that he understands you fully. Not me! The conversation over the meal continued on the way to Gethsemane. Maybe some of the disciples had been looking for more clues about the impending danger. Should we have our swords? Will it be tonight? When Jesus told them that they would all run away (v 27), it incensed Peter. He hadn’t run away from anything before and he didn’t intend to now. Twice he insisted that he would be there no matter what (vs 29,31): ‘Others will fail, but not me. I will die with you before I will run.’ Kingdom of love Growing up in Galilee, the infamous zealot stronghold, had steeled the disciples for this fight. Don’t doubt their courage, only their insight! They didn’t know that Jesus had no intention of fighting with their weapons. He was bringing a kingdom of love, not violence. No one would seize him, he would offer himself. His battle was still to come, and it would take love, not violence, to win it. Jesus knew that they were not equipped to fight this battle. Yet! Respond: How hard it is for us to meet a threat with love. It takes such courage. Is there someone in your life that you struggle with? Ask Jesus to plant his love deep in you and then go and do something kind for them. Win them over with love that expects nothing in return. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-28