Trinity United Church of Christ Lenten Devotional for Wednesday, April 1, 2015 "Obedience"

Luke 22:54-62

 

Then they seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”  Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.”  But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.  The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”  And he went out and wept bitterly.

 

Obedience

 

By Kevan Franklin

 

Lent awakens us to hope in God whose "steadfast love endures forever" and to struggle against everything that leads us away from the love of God and neighbor. The Lenten disciplines of repentance, fasting, prayer, study and works of love are guides for returning to the steadfast love of God.

 

One of the most compelling questions about the Passion of Christ is;  Why did Peter deny that he even knew Jesus?  Sometimes fear gets in the way of our love for God and others.

 

Peter was one of the first to follow Jesus, he left everything behind to walk the rugged road of discipleship. Jesus made it a point to take Peter, James and John with him whenever something significant was about to happen.  Peter was there to see Jesus heal the sick, Shine like the sun, cast out evil spirits, and even raise the dead. Peter was an eyewitness! And he even took a few steps on water before his faith wavered. So why did Peter, of all people, deny Jesus?  

 

One clear answer is; Because Peter was afraid. Fear prevents us from doing the right thing.  Fear creates separation between people.  Just the night before, at teh Last Supper, Jesus encouraged the disciples, by telling them “Do not be afraid.  Trust God, trust also in me.”  Jesus knew the value of trust.  Do you trust Jesus enough to take risks?

 

Fear can hold absolute power over us! Fear has ruined friendships and nations.  Unjust rulers have held whole nations under control through fear. Most commercials are designed around our fear of embarassment.  Social change leaders have realized that when you overcome your fear of death you can change the world. The airwaves are filled with stories designed to make you afraid of people who are different from you.

 

Science tells us that fear resides in a deep part of our brain that causes us our fight or flight response.  When we're afraid, we can forget our commitments, our values, and even our loves. In fearful moments all we can think about is how to protect ourselves.  We strike out at the people closest to us.  In fear we run away rather than standing for what we believe. Fear causes our heart to race and clouds our judgment.

 

Here is the real meaning of Lent;

Jesus was crucified by people who couldn’t see who he really was.
Because they were afraid, they thought that Jesus was the enemy.
If someone who speaks peace and love can be seen as the enemy, then where is the real source of our evil?   It comes from within us.  From our human tendency to be afraid and to destroy that which we do not understand.

 

Lent Check;

How has your fear kept you from a full, genuine relationship with God and others?

Who do you trust? 

Who trusts you and why should they?

Prayer

Jesus, lead me beyond my fears.  Anxiety rules my life.  I want the freedom of a new life in you.  Free me from the fears that get in the way of my relationships. Forgive me for the times I've fallen short in my discipleship because I've been afraid. Forgive me for failing to trust You when You've proven Yourself  trustworthy.  Amen.