The PassionSample

Have you ever ducked a question on knowing Jesus? I know I have. And I’m not alone, as today’s passage shows us. Jesus has suffered betrayal by one of His closest friends in Judas. This was a man He spent day and night with, travelling together for the best part of three years. He’s not merely a work acquaintance! Now comes more pain, even though Jesus predicted it.

Peter has been following from a distance and now sits in the shadows waiting to hear news from Jesus’ trial inside. Two servant girls think they recognise him as Jesus’ companion -hardly the Spanish Inquisition - but Peter denies it both times. A little later, the bystanders tell Peter his accent gives him away, but he denies it again, swearing to underline his passion. When the rooster crows soon after, Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction. He’s fallen too, abandoning Jesus even from a safe distance.

Sometimes our standing with the crowd matters more than our loyalty to Jesus. Sometimes we’re driven by our sense of personal safety, or our fear of further questions, or our desire to not be noticed. Whatever motivates us to duck difficult questions, Jesus will never abandon us. He won’t deny His loyalty to His people and to His bride, the church. And when those questions come our way, He will give us words to say when we ask Him, and use our humble efforts to communicate His goodness and glory to the people around us.

Today, ponder this: Ask Jesus for forgiveness for when you’ve ducked a question about knowing Him, and ask Him for courage to be ready to share a reason for your hope in Him.