John 18:15-27 A Rooster Crows

John 18:15-27 NIV
Jesus had told Peter that he would turn his back on him before the rooster crowed. He told him that he would deny being one of Jesus' followers. Peter loved Jesus. He did not believe that he would ever deny him. But, he did.

We often come up with deceptions in order to protect ourselves. It really doesn't matter who we might hurt; as long as we protect our own skins. We do it, just as Peter did, without any real forethought. We don't always plan it. We may not even want to. It just happens. The denial comes slipping out between our teeth and it is done before we realize what we are doing. The denial of who and what we are or have done is a dangerous thing. It endangers others as well as ourselves.

I remember a saying that I use to hear a lot (probably when I was more closely related to the U.S. Marine Corps): "If it is worth doing, it is worth dying for." I would change or add to that a little: "If it is worth believing, it is worth dying for."

Peter was out to save himself that early morning. He was afraid. Jesus was out to save the world. He died doing what he believed was right for you and me, according to the will of our Father. In the end, Peter, too, died for what he believed. Peter's love for Jesus overcame his fear of persecution and death.

Before the sun rises and the rooster crows ask yourself if (how) you have betrayed Jesus lately? Have you betrayed Jesus by keeping silent? Have you betrayed him by denying him? Have you sat back and done nothing while others are persecuted? There is a quote (by I believe Edmond Burke) that says: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Peter was a relatively good man in the eyes of the world. But, he hid in the darkness while Jesus stood trial. He stood back and watched while Jesus was crucified for him. May God help us all to step out into the light, who is Jesus the Christ. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Mark 14:66-72 - Denying Christ

Mark 14:66-72 NIV
As much as he loved Jesus, when it came to being willing to die for him, he denied him. He denied him, not once, but three times.

We want to serve Jesus. We would really like to say that we would even die rather than deny him. But, when it comes right down to it, none of us really know if we what we would do when faced with that situation. Most of us will never be called to face this type of trial. But, there are those who have faced death and refused to deny Jesus, even in our day. There are those who have died confessing their faith in Him. Let us give thanks for all the martyrs who have taken up the cross and died for the sake of His Holy Name. May God help us to be faithful in confessing all that He has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 34 - Day Of The LORD's Vengeance

The day of the LORD's vengeance, prophesied by Isaiah. Total annihilation of the LORD's enemies is promised and the land is promised to the unclean animals. I remember reading Mark Twain's "Letters from the Earth" many years ago. I can't find my copy today; but, if I remember correctly, his view included that the animal kingdom, not including humankind, did only what it was created to do. They killed one another in order to eat as that is how God created them. Humankind on the other hand often kills for reasons other than because that is how God created us. So, in today's lesson we hear that following the day of the LORD's vengeance, those animals will be left to live in the land.

I normally feed the animals in my backyard. We are quite a ways from the highway so I don't worry about them getting run over on a road to get here. My husband does not always appreciate the feeding of the animals. Among other things, it is my way of recycling. Any thing that is left over and edible is put out the door. Clean and unclean birds and animals come to eat. My husband is not real thrilled that some of these leftovers might attract bears, coyotes, or raccoon to our back door. In fact, when I woke up the other morning it appeared a porcupine had been in competition with someone for the scraps. There were quills left at the stoop or maybe it was a thank you gift for me. Probably not... He really does not like all the blue-jays that feed from the feeders and yesterday the crow standing on the bird bath was really an unpleasant sight for him. My response was only: "Even the crows have to eat. Let them eat." So far none of these other animals have kept the deer or the song birds from coming. There are multitudes that come. Now, I know that God has provided an abundance of food for them in the woods and the water, but I like to see them, so I feed them that they might come closer in and so the leftovers don't get wasted in some landfill.

A little off topic today, again. But, I cannot help think that the animals that God has created are true to who God made them to be. Are we? Were we not given dominion (care takers) of creation? How do we care for it? How do we care for one another? In the day of the LORD's vengeance, what will be our response when we stand before Him?

God's Peace - Pr. J.