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Day 43 Mark 14:27-31 Mark 14:27 And Jesus said unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spoke the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. Everyone has good intentions. Nobody likes to think they will do the unthinkable and run out on a situation. Yet, when faced with reality, good intentions seem to fly out the window. Peter told Jesus he was ready to sacrifice his life for him. The other disciples agreed with Peter. Jesus told them, however, they would desert him, and Peter would deny him, not once, but three times. As Christians, you face many situations regarding your faith. Someone is always coming against what you believe, and in some countries, death is the penalty for being a Christian. Jesus had told his disciples what they would face because of him. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved. Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV) Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV) History has shown early Christians were sought and put to death in Roman arenas for sport. The price for being a Christian in the early days of the church, was oftentimes death. Nothing has changed. There are countries where being a Christian is a death sentence, and still missionaries dare to go to those countries and proclaim the name of Jesus. You know the stakes and the cost of being a Christian. Will you, like Peter, proclaim you will go to your death for Jesus and the gospel? Or will you, like Peter, deny him, or run away at the first sign of danger? By the way, their proclamations about their behavior and what they did reflected pre-resurrection thought and actions. It did not reflect their behavior after the resurrection, when they gladly sacrificed their lives for the gospel. Knowing the cost, are you willing to sacrifice your lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ? Let’s pray: Father, you know me better than I know myself. Give me a faith that reflects my love for you and be willing to give my life for you and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 18 August 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay