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April 14, 2022
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Daily Scripture

Luke 22:31-62

During Lent, we are using short videos to share a daily idea (linked to the gospel of Luke) on how to grow spiritually. Watch today’s video. Click here or on the image below:

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Note: We are reading the entire gospel of Luke in the GPS. Some day’s readings are longer than usual. We hope you’ll have an extra cup of coffee, or use your lunch break, and read Luke’s entire story of Jesus.

The final storm broke; Peter wilted Luke 22:31-62

31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. 32 However, I have prayed for you that your faith won’t fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers and sisters.”
33 Peter responded, “Lord, I’m ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster won’t crow today before you have denied three times that you know me.”
35 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?”
They said, “Nothing.”
36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one. 37 I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in relation to me: And he was counted among criminals [Isaiah 53:12]. Indeed, what’s written about me is nearing completion.”
38 They said to him, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”
He replied, “Enough of that!”
39 Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” 41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. 42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” 43 Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. 45 When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”
47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd appeared, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him.
48 Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Human One [or Son of Man] with a kiss?”
49 When those around him recognized what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we fight with our swords?” 50 One of them struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.
51 Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this!” He touched the slave’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come to get him, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a thief? 53 Day after day I was with you in the temple, but you didn’t arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules.”
54 After they arrested Jesus, they led him away and brought him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed from a distance. 55 When they lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56 Then a servant woman saw him sitting in the firelight. She stared at him and said, “This man was with him too.”
57 But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him!”
58 A little while later, someone else saw him and said, “You are one of them too.”
But Peter said, “Man, I’m not!”
59 An hour or so later, someone else insisted, “This man must have been with him, because he is a Galilean too.” 60 Peter responded, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered the Lord’s words: “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.

Note: We’re near the end of this “40 Days of Personal Transformation” Lenten season. Join us in worshipping the crucified and risen Jesus at Resurrection’s pre-Easter and Easter worship times, in-person, online or on local television. For full details, click here and here.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

“Lord,” Peter said defiantly, “I’m ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!” Little did he know that he wasn’t at all “ready” for that. Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter heatedly denied three times having been with Jesus. Then a rooster crowed, Jesus looked at him, and Peter “went out and cried uncontrollably.”

  • Of the disciples, only Peter walked on water (Matthew 14:28-29). He was first to flatly call Jesus the Messiah (Luke 9:18-20). He was no villain—just a man subject to fear and pressure. Have you ever felt pressure to hide your loyalty to Jesus? Jesus told those who seized him, “This is your time, when darkness rules.” What might Peter have done to keep the darkness at bay (cf. 22:46)?
  • Pastor Hamilton noted that all four gospels tell of Peter’s humiliating failure. Yet when Luke and the others wrote, Peter had been a brave church leader Rome martyred around 64-65 A.D. Peter probably openly told about his failure, and the forgiveness and hope he found in its wake. * When have you grown through facing a failure openly and learning from it by God’s grace?

Click here to incorporate music and worship from the COR Worship Collective into your daily practice and devotion.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, like Peter, I keep finding a need to grow even in areas I thought I was done with. Thank you for your ongoing grace, for urging me to grow even when I’m comfortable. Amen.

GPS Insights

Ellie Wells

Ellie Wells

Ellie is a senior at Kansas State University studying Human Development and Family Science, with minors in Psychology and Organizational Conflict Resolution. She interned with Adult Discipleship last summer, and continues to contribute from her college campus. She loves Manhattan, Kansas, exploring the many trails in the KC area, and spending time with friends and family.

As Easter approaches, I’ve been reflecting more on what life was like for Jesus and his 12 apostles. For as long as I can remember, Peter has always been my “favorite” apostle, and I’m just recently beginning to understand why. Peter, full of zeal and passion, was one of Jesus’ closest followers. And yet, when it came time for the crucifixion (and probably the deepest pain of Jesus’ life), Peter not only showed indifference but active denial of Jesus–THREE TIMES. It always blows my mind that Peter could been so close to Jesus and yet still betray him at this point (and Judas as well).

As I reflected on this, my biggest takeaway from the betrayals of both Judas and Peter is the vital importance of hope. Both men hurt their friend deeply, but one man was able to move forward in hope and trust, while the other was crushed under feelings of hopelessness.

Jacques Philippe states that “hope is a choice that often demands an effort. It is easier to worry, get discouraged, be afraid. Hoping means trusting. When we hope we are not passive, we are active.” * Peter’s hope gives me hope this Easter season. Regardless of how you come to this Easter, I pray that you are inspired by this hope as well.

* From Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom (translated by Helena Scott). New York: Scepter Publishers, Inc., 2007.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References

* Hamilton, Adam. 24 Hours That Changed the World – (p. 58). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.