Who is Jesus? A Lenten Journey through John – Day 21
Read John 13:21-38
How will people know you follow Jesus? He gives us a simple measuring stick: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Does everyone know that you are Jesus’ disciple by the way you live and love?
After Jesus tells his disciples how they will be known, Peter claims he will never fail Jesus. But we know he will – miserably. When Peter denies Jesus, he is ashamed and heartbroken. He knows he has not lived up to his own standard, let alone Jesus’ expectations.
Through Peter’s story, we see God’s grace for people who fail themselves, others, and even God. There’s a word for people like that: sinners. This word describes all of us well. Peter made an honest, but rash, promise that he would never fail Jesus. Have you ever made a promise to God (or yourself) that you can’t keep? How did you respond when you realized that you didn’t, or can’t, keep it? What does scripture tell us that God will do?
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you are gracious and kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Thank you for the witness of Peter, who had the best of intentions, but still failed you. Thank you for your grace offered freely to sinners like Peter and me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.