(Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 15:16-29; Psalm 119:9-16; Mark 14:43-72)
And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72 ESV)
We can be so much like Peter, proud, boastful, so sure of ourselves. Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. (Mark 4:29-31 ESV)
Our sinful nature rears it ugly and untrustworthy head, and down we go. “I don’t know Jesus” comes flying out of our mouths too. We give in to our fears and our love of sin, leaving our Lord betrayed and denied once again. AND THEN THE ROOSTER CROWS!
However, the narrative does not end with us breaking down in tears with roosters crowing around us. Instead, the risen Christ appears to us every day, just as He did for Peter, calling us to repent a believe.
What is most amazing is that our Lord Jesus forgives our denials and mercifully restores our relationship with Him! And that, in truth, makes us BLESSED BY THE LORD in the most overwhelming manner!
Thank you Lord Jesus, for having mercy on me and forgiving the many times I have denied You! Please help me this day to be much more faithful to You and to share Your mercy with others. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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