I don’t know about you but there have been times in my life when I have been attending church listening to the preacher’s sermon and applied the sermon’s message to everyone else but myself. If you are honest with yourself, you have done it too. This is not the first time this has happened. So please read Mark 14:26-31 as Peter informs Jesus that what he just told them doesn’t apply to him. Just imagine that the eleven may have recovered somewhat from the shock of learning that it will be Judas who will betray Jesus to the Jewish authorities that they are able to leave the upper room and return to the Mount of Olives for the evening. Along the way they sang a hymn, probably from the book of Psalms. After they got through singing a hymn Jesus tells them that what the LORD of host told Zechariah to write down and proclaim in Zechariah 13:7 was about to come true. “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the LORD of host. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered: I will turn my hands against the little ones.” (Zechariah 13:7) Jesus applied this verse of Scripture to himself and his disciples. Jesus is not only the man who stands next to the LORD of host, but he is also his Son-the Son of Man. Jesus was going to humble himself to follow God the Father’s plan of salvation all the way to his own death. Not just any death but death on the cross. Jesus gives his disciples hope. “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” All of the disciples heard what Jesus said to them. Peter responds to Jesus by telling him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” Jesus goes on to tell him that before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times. Peter comes back more insistent this time, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” Then everyone else all said the same. Just a couple of observations that we all need to apply to our lives. First no one is able to withstand God. In 2 Chronicles 20:3-12 in Jehoshaphat’s prayer he acknowledged that God is God in heaven and that all power and might are in his hands, so that none is able to withstand God’s will. Peter was trying with his best intentions to tell Jesus, God in the flesh, that he was able to withstand what Jesus had said would take place. Secondly, when someone says no to Jesus they need to understand that their disobedience could cause others to join in disobedience to God’s revealed will, plan and purpose for their lives or even Christ Church for the moment. So instead of telling the Lord Jesus that what you have written in your word doesn’t apply to me but to everyone else, let us surrender to him and ask him to help us to apply his word to our lives so that he is glorified. If you would like to learn more about what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus send me an email.
Categories: Weekly Sermon