Focus: A Look At Peter

Text: Lk.22:45-60.

We are dealing here with moments before the cross. In verse 45, Peter is seen sleeping.

In verse 50, Peter is smiting and cutting off another's ear.

In verse 54, Peter is following the master from afar.

In verse 55, Peter is sitting with the wrong company.

In verse 57,58,60, Peter is denying his master.

You can see the downward movement - from sleeping in the hour of prayer to outrightly denying Christ!

While Christ was praying, Peter was sleeping. While Christ was surrendering to his Father's will, Peter was fighting, and while Christ was suffering the agony of the cross as God's lamb, Peter was busy cursing and swearing (Mt.26:74).

Take a good and long look at yourself. Are you not in anyway like Peter? Are you spiritually falling short or gradually sliding back to the lures and desires of the flesh? Check yourself out and beware.

Much later, Peter tells us that Christ has left us an example that we should follow his steps (1Pet.2:21). God's ultimate intention is to get us conformed to the image of Christ, nothing short of that (Rom.8:29).

Change of heart should result in a change of behavior and attitudes.

May the Lord help us! Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter