The Difference is Fear

March 31, 2023

Matthew 26:69-75 | Proverbs 19:7 | Gospels in Lent Track: Matthew 15-16

Fear.

It’s fear.

The difference between everyone else and Jesus in the passion story is fear. We all have it. Jesus does not.

Those who arrest him - fear of what he can do.

The religious leaders - fear of who he says he is and who the people think he is.

Even Pilate, who has all the human power - fears what could happen to his reputation if Jesus is not dealt with.

…and Peter.

Peter fears joining Jesus in chains.

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Matthew 26:69-75

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant woman came and said to him, “You were also with Jesus the Galilean.”

But he denied it in front of all of them, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

When he went over to the gate, another woman saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”

With a solemn pledge, he denied it again, saying, “I don’t know the man.”

A short time later those standing there came and said to Peter, “You must be one of them. The way you talk gives you away.”

Then he cursed and swore, “I don’t know the man!” At that very moment the rooster crowed. Peter remembered Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.

Proverbs 19:7

All the relatives of the poor hate them;
    even more, their friends stay far from them.
    When they pursue them with words, they aren’t there.

Prayer

God -

Thank you for another new day. With the temperatures rising, birds singing more loudly, and the sun viewable in the sky more often, it’s a beautiful and promising time of year.

Help me this day as I seek to do what is in front of me. Deliver me from fear, wherever it comes from. Give me the boldness of Christ, not to be a brute to the people in my way, but to move with the same confidence as Christ that in the end, righteousness reigns and you’ve got me.

By your Spirit & in Christ,

Amen.