September 17

Luke 22:54-62 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

60But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." 62And he went out and wept bitterly.

Observation

I am not “surprised” to read this account mainly because Jesus had already predicted it in v. 34. However, I wonder what was going through in his mind when he denied Jesus three times. “Oh, this is what Jesus meant!” “Why am I saying no to this little girl? I am not supposed to do this.” The climax is the impeccable timing of the rooster crowing, again just like Jesus foretold. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. Was he really sorry for his action of denying Jesus three times? Was he really repentant of it? I believe so. The word “wept” was used to denote the sign of pain and grief for the thing signified, i.e. his denial.

Application

God is NOT going to be surprised to spot my shortcomings and failings, but will be grieved when my heart is so hardened that I don't know how to weep properly. One reason why I can easily identify with Peter is because I see myself in him. Just like Peter just couldn’t live up to the promise he’d made in v. 33, I also fail to live out my faith again and again. So I ask the Spirit of God to continually soften my heart that I may weep bitterly over my shortcomings and failings.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am on a journey of faith here on earth. And I know and even expect in a way that I will be failing over and over while on this journey. I ask of Your Spirit to reveal my shortcomings and failings so that I continue to learn what it means to weep bitterly as your child. In the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

--p. han song