Denying Jesus

It's easy to point out when others do it. How about me?

What is it that would have the power to make you deny Jesus?

A tough question. And our verbal answer would be more than likely the same as Peter’s. But it is an important discipleship practice to dig deeply and reflect on what might cause us to abandon Jesus.

Maybe it wouldn’t be an outright denial of Jesus, but some significant aspect of who he is (which is…to deny Jesus). For instance, it seems to many Christians today, there are other Christians denying him by accepting actions that are not Christlike.

What happens when we deny Christ without even knowing it?

Matthew 26:31-35

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions. But after I’m raised up, I’ll go before you to Galilee.”

Peter replied, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.”

Jesus said to him, “I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times.”

Peter said, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing.

Prayer¹

God,

You have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you know my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word I speak, Lord, that you don’t already completely know. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me, I can’t reach it.

Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence?

Search me, God. Look at my heart. Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts. Look to see if there is any wicked way in me, then lead me on the eternal path!

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.

1. Adapted and paraphrased from portions of Psalm 139.