Monday, December 8, 2014

The Remedy for Overconfidence

Peter's denial of Christ is a sobering lesson on depending on Jesus at every level even when we think we can handle something in our own strength.

Flash back to John 13:37-38: Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You."38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.

Now fast forward to John 19:17-27, where Jesus is on trial, and the bystanders are keeping themselves warm near a charcoal fire.  John was there and got Peter into the court.
While there Peter denied being a disciple of Christ three times and the rooster crowed just as Jesus prophesied.

Now fast forward again to a post resurrection scene in John 21:15-17.
Jesus set the scene for Peter by having a charcoal fire.  After breakfast, Jesus ask Peter three times if he loved Him.  "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" 

After the third time Peter did not have such a quick off the cuff response.  Peter was grieved (his emotions kicked in), and he recognize the omniscience of Christ.  Perhaps Peter took Jesus' prophecy about him denying him three times too lightly and learned an invaluable lesson when he actually denied Jesus three times and Jesus' prophecy came true.

Peter was more humble and seemed to have a more dependent on Jesus spirit, in his third response to Jesus.

Instead of answering without thinking which is one indicator or overconfidence, let us first prayerfully consider the issue at hand, and be more dependent upon Christ before we give an answer (Prov. 3:5-6).

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy, (MZO)

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