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PETER SINKS (MARK 14:66-72).

REFLECTION

“Peter sinks” is the theme for our reflection. To sink in a friendship or a relationship means not worthy of trust or failure to live up to expectations when needed the most. We shall reflect on the fact that our faithfulness or commitment to Jesus will be tested in difficult or challenging times.

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest and most cherished disciples of Jesus. It was expected that he would at least acknowledge that he knew Jesus although he may not be willing to go through suffering with him. Peter denied Jesus three times when he was accused of having acquaintance with Jesus. “While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72) Peter sank from being a trusted and committed disciple who promised to stand by Jesus to a stranger who never knew Jesus. What about us, can we also remain faithful or committed to Jesus in times of difficulty or like Peter, we shall sink in denial?

It might have been an emotionally painful experience for Jesus to have one of His much-cherished disciples deny him. My friend in the Lord, we are not too different from Peter when we also fail to stand by Jesus or remain faithful to Him in difficult and challenging times. In the face of temptations and persecution, many of us have denied our knowledge and friendship with Jesus and for the fear of suffering, we have sank from disciples of Christ to strangers who do not know Christ. Sometimes, when we find ourselves in crises or challenges which require that we demonstrate our true discipleship or faithfulness to Christ, we sink into the sea of denial, corruption and immorality to gratify our bodies and to please our friends and others. Mark 8:38 reminds us that “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

This reflection offers us an opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness and reconciliation from God. For those of us who have sunk, Jesus has stretched forth his hands to pull us to and above the surface of the sea of sin, denial and betrayal. Again, Jesus in Matthew 10:33 admonished us, “…whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven”

In summary, we have been reminded of the fact that our faithfulness or commitment to Jesus will be greatly tested in difficult or challenging times. Let us critically examine our relationship with Jesus and recommit ourselves to Him as faithful disciples who are ever ready, no matter the situation to acknowledge and represent Him wherever we find ourselves. Shalom

PRAYER

LORD JESUS, GRANT ME THE COURAGE TO STAND FIRM IN MY FAITH WHEN I AM FACED WITH SITUATIONS THAT DEMAND THAT I DENY YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOUR. HOLY SPIRIT, STRENGTHEN ME SO THAT I WILL NOT SINK. AMEN.