April 26, 2023 — Weeping or Acting Like Nothing Happened?

“Have you ever noticed,” Stan asked me one morning while we waited for Ricky to bring our breakfast, “how sometimes all four of the gospels cover the same thing, while at other times, only one or two of the gospels will cover a particular point.”

“I have noticed that,” I replied, “And I’ve wondered if it means that there are some things that are more important if all of the gospels cover it.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Stan said, “but it certainly could be.”

“However,” he continued, “I do know that everything in the Bible is important and I do know that I was looking at one story the other day that’s covered in more than one of the gospels. It’s one that has a significant impact on my faith walk.”

“Which one is that?”

“Peter’s denial of Jesus,” Stan replied.

“That’s a heartbreaking story,” I commented. “After walking with Jesus for three years, Peter denied even knowing Him.”

“You’re right,” Stan replied. “After Jesus was arrested and was on His way to the cross, when the going got tough for His disciples, that’s when Peter did what he did.”

“But,” he continued, “it’s what happened next that’s important for me and my faith walk.”

“What’s that?”

“As soon as Peter realized what he had done, he wept. And that’s something I don’t do often enough.”

“You don’t weep?” I said. “What do you mean?”

“While my denial of Jesus may not be as blatant as Peter’s,” Stan replied, “there are certainly way too many times in my life where my thoughts, words, and actions are clear denials of Jesus, but I don’t weep the way I should.”

“Don’t weep the way you should? How do you think you should weep?”

“With confession and repentance,” Stan replied.

“Will that make a difference?” I asked.

“I can tell you as a fact,” Stan replied rather solemnly, “that if I’m a weeping disciple, there’s a much better chance of it making a difference than if I deny Jesus and just go on about my day as if nothing had happened.”

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Bible verses to consider:

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a certain servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75.

And he began to weep. Mark 14:72

And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the truth of the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus and how that relates to me. I confess that too often I deny even knowing Jesus by what I think, say, and do. Please forgive the foolishness of such denial. And please help me follow every step of your lead so I don’t deny Jesus, but, instead, manifest Him to the watching world. In addition, Father, I ask that if I do deny Jesus that you will lead me to weep bitter tears of confession and repentance. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you stopped denying Jesus in the eternal sense so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with not denying Jesus by what you think, say, and do while you remain on this side of eternity? If you sense the need for change in not denying Jesus and/or in the shedding of tears of confession and repentance when you do deny Him, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?