Saturday 29th November
Read John 13:36-38
“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 cock crows, you will disown me three times!” (NIVUK)
The passage begins and ends with Peter questioning Jesus. The first challenge Peter makes concerns the wrongness of Jesus washing his feet. The second challenge concerns the assertion by Jesus that Peter cannot follow Him. Peter believes Jesus is underestimating his devotion. After all, they have followed Him into Jerusalem, an act they all considered dangerous. Why would they not continue to follow Him, be it to the temple or the square or the Sanhedrin itself?
The reason Peter cannot follow Jesus now is that no-one has walked, or can walk, the very narrow path Jesus is about to follow. The betrayal, suffering and death – all in innocence yet deliberate in every way – is a path that must be blazed and borne by the Holy One.
Peter’s questions, constant as they are, seek to deter Jesus from that path. John tells us that Satan entered Judas when he left to betray Jesus. We know that Peter’s confident statements about the way Jesus should go are just as truly Satan’s words. Jesus’ rebuke is harsher in consequence (v38).
How easily do we overestimate our devotion to Jesus? Are there decisions made that belie our profession of faith? In the moment, worshipping Jesus and sharing a meal, we may believe that there is nothing we would not do for Him. Yet, the very next day, or even hour, when challenged we will step back – self-preservation is a strong instinct. Self-sacrifice is easy to say, but far more challenging to do.
