Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. [Matthew 26.69-70]
How might this story have been different had Peter confessed Jesus at this time?
Could it be said that Peter effectively did not "take up his cross and follow Jesus" since he denied Jesus at this time? Might Peter have been included in the beatings, abuse, false accusations made against Jesus? Might there have been four crosses on Calvary instead of just three?
In a time when Jesus is on trial, His followers are on trial.
I believe we have seen "Jesus on trial" in the USA for some time now. Unfortunately, He has pretty much been on trial alone. Where were His followers when prayer was taken out of public schools? Where were the followers of Christ when abortion was legalized? Where are the voices of His witnesses that homosexuality is a sin?
Here is a thought... It was the very men who first denied Jesus who then brought the Good News to the world.
What responsibility does that place on us today, who are called by the name of Jesus (Christians)?
Even if we have been in denial of our Savior to this point, it is time now to take up our crosses and follow Him!
Father, forgive me for my silence, and worse, my denial of Jesus...
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