Archive for April, 2009

I have been digging through the events that lead up to Jesus’ death. I always try to find some detail that I have never noticed before. Actually, I found 2 things that made me go hmm. I won’t talk about them though. I don’t feel like hashing through Jewish customs on this platform.

Something that I realized, while doing this, is I like Peter. Reading about Peter reminds me of myself. More so his failures than his successes. I love how Peter is revealed as a real dude. I am not sure why Jesus’ other company is not. Maybe Peter was just more vulnerable and didn’t punch people in the mouth when his purposes were questioned.

I am not a big fan of Paul. Paul was a stud. Paul changed the world. But I don’t think we would have got along. I know people thought he was an ass at times. Believe me I should be more like Paul but I just don’t think we would have jived.

Peter loved Christ. Peter loved his culture. Christ loved Peter. Jesus gave Peter a cool nickname as well. The Rock.

Some say that Peter was the rock that the church should be founded upon. Catholic priests consider themselves representatives of Peter’s position. Another thing I love about Peter is that he dared to walk on water. Ya, he sunk but at least he had the nuts to step off. He trusted Christ but then began to look else where. Who hasn’t?

Back to the Easter scene. Peter denied Christ. The rooster crowed. Peter was questioned about his companionship with Christ. The rooster crowed. He had been seen with Christ. Peter was picked out of a crowd. He must have been influential in Christ’s ministry within the region. There is a party going in the midst of Jesus’ trial, I can only imagine chaos. Yet Peter stands out. He is accused of being with the Nazarene. His actions proceed him. And we all know he denies his relationship with Christ.

It’s easy to be the armchair quarterback and say you wouldn’t have denied Christ. We deny Christ everyday. This day coming up, that is filled with peeps and little girls in flowery dresses, should be the ultimate reminder of how Christ didn’t deny us. Christ didn’t deny Peter even though He called Peter out on denying Him.

Peter went on to runamuck in Christ’s name. I think we should realize that our denial of Christ is magnified during this season. When you walk out of church Sunday, will you have realized that you deny Christ or will you just be saddened by the torture inflicted upon Jesus? Regardless, I plan on coming out with guns blazing. I plan on being a better follower. I plan on being a better husband. I plan on being a better father.

We must remember that Jesus chose to face the cross. When his boys were sleeping while they were to be on the look out He knew he would be betrayed. He didn’t call on a legion of angels. He followed through with the Father’s will but it wasn’t easy for Him. He asked the Father to give him the strength to complete this task.

He wanted to die for you. You chose Him at your convenience but do you follow Him? I guess the best person to ask that question to is Christ himself. Sunday, this is what I intend to do. I plan on asking my Savior, “Do I follow you in a manner that benefits your cause?”