Bahan Alkitab: Luke 22:31-62; John 21; Galatians 2:11-14
Tanggal: 23/08/2020
Ringkasan:
Just before Jesus was arrested, he warned his disciples that Satan had asked to try them severely. Peter was confident, and declared “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus replied,”I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
When the soldiers seized Jesus, the disciples ran away, deserting him. However, Peter and John returned and followed at a distance as Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest. In the courtyard, where servants were sitting around a fire warming themselves, Peter three times denied being a follower of Jesus. The rooster crowed immediately after his third denial, reminding him of what Jesus had foretold. Peter went off and wept, demonstrating true repentance – deep sorrow for having offended God and a desire to turn away from sin.
When Jesus appeared to his disciples at the Sea of Galilee after he had risen from the dead, he asked Peter three times,”Do you love me?” Perhaps the three questions reminded Peter of his three denials. He has given the opportunity to commit himself to the Lord. Jesus forgave Peter and restored him as an apostle.
Just like Satan had asked God to let him test Job, so he asked permission to test the disciples. God never loses control of forsakes His children, He sets the boundaries for Satan’s evil work. Satan’s attempts to shake and crush the faith of the disciples helped refine them and make them stronger servants of Christ.
Ayat Hafalan:
Psalm 145:21
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever