John 13:31-38
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Chris Doi
Japanese Christian Church – Walnut Creek
Observation: Jesus, I sense that You admired Peter’s courage to declare his allegiance to follow you even to death. Though You already knew that he would end up denying you three times in public, You exemplified God’s true glory by Your unconditional love towards Peter.
Action: Jesus, I want to carry on the same love to disciple others as You showed Peter and the original disciples.
Observation: You love the guy you know is going to drop the ball, right before he drops it. In fact, you build your church on him because you know his heart is stronger than his weakness.
Action: Don’t be afraid to lean in close even though I know that I too will drop the ball sooner or later.
Observation: Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! – Such invitation to be real, such challenge to move from good intentions to transformed life. To be honest I don’t know if I am up for the challenge today. I hope so. It is my intention. Its an attitude thing today.
Action: I hear you getting my attention Lord. I will find low attitude thought, I will identify one. I will submit it to you. I will act according to your direction, my faith your direction my followship.
Observation: Lord Jesus, You call us to l
Observation: Will you really lay down your life for me? I hear your challenge to be REAL about my brokenness and sinful nature. Just like Peter, I don’t follow through, yet you love me.
Action: Be real with you, knowing that is what you want from me.
Observation: I guess I’m a lot like Peter. I have really strong intentions to follow Jesus; to obey in every situation; but sometimes in the heat of the moment I forgety. I let my fears, or my excitement, or whatever get in the way of my promise.
Action: Today, with His help, I will remain true to my commitment>\.