"Though We Betray Him"
Feb. 19, 2020
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic Word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Do you know someone you're proud of just to be associated with? Perhaps he or she is a high-level business executive. Maybe they're a professional athlete, a musician, or a top-ranking officer in the military. Maybe it's their people skills you admire. They're accepting and tactful, capable of showing great concern and compassion. Whatever it is, this person enlarges your view of life—and its possibilities—by the way they live theirs. In a word, your life is simply better for knowing that person and, if you're really honest, you're a better person because of it.
Peter met Someone like that by the Sea of Galilee: The Son of a carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. How their friendship must have developed! As they shared experiences, Peter must have yearned to tell people about God's grace in Jesus. He had seen Him go about the countryside, comforting the sick and afflicted, encouraging those with little hope in this world. Peter was there for the healings and miracles, and for the humane touch, Jesus showed those who were at wits' end. And he was there "when He (Jesus) received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"
How Peter must have ached to tell others all that he knew about Jesus—this Friend who continually surprised him. Here was Someone who understood the fisherman and accepted him for all his faults and shortcomings. Here was Someone Peter boldly said he would die for and just as boldly denied even knowing a few hours later. If only he could take those words back!
But it's for sins like these that the Savior went to the cross, taking Peter's betrayal—and ours—to the grave, triumphing over them in resurrection victory three days later.
Jesus did this—the One who knows the fickleness of our faithless hearts ... and loves us anyway.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, keep us faithful to Jesus to the end of our lives. In His Name. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you know someone exceptional on a number of levels? What makes him or her so?
- What "cleverly devised myths" do you think the writer is referring to?
- Have you ever betrayed a friend or a loved one in a devastating way? Has that situation been resolved somehow?
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you know someone exceptional on a number of levels? What makes him or her so?
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