Monday 12th Aug 2019 - Daily Reading:
Matthew 26:57-75 Pressure - by Becky Brooks

Jesus and Peter are both put under pressure here, but they respond very differently. Although Jesus knows that the outcome of his trial will be his execution, he remains completely calm in the face of the questions and accusations.

The chief priests struggle to find anyone who can testify truthfully against Jesus, and the two who did testify are really only telling a half-truth. Jesus does not respond to any of this charade of a trial, until he is asked directly whether he is the Messiah, the Son of God, and even then, his answer shows that he is in control of himself and, indeed, of the whole situation.

On the other hand, Peter is in a terrible state. At least, unlike the other disciples, he has not disappeared off the scene completely, but his is flitting from shadow to shadow, keeping his distance, watching what happens.

When he is asked three times if he was with Jesus, he completely unravels. His denials become more and more fervent, as he swears an oath, and then even calls down curses on himself as evidence that his lies are really the truth. The moment when he realised what he had done, and how Jesus’ prophecy had been fulfilled, despite his assurances that he would never do such a thing, must have been a bitter one indeed.

They say that it is under pressure that we see the true measure of a person. In these few verses, we see Jesus’ strength, and we also see Peter’s weakness. Yet we also know that there is the possibility of change. From this rock bottom place, Peter would go on to be a fearless evangelist, facing death without flinching, through the power of the Holy Spirit within him. Days of pressure will come on us all. Let us be strengthened from within by the power that comes only from God so that we do not fall.

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