Friday: Further Thought – Taken and Tried
Daily Lesson for Friday 13th of September 2024
Read Ellen G. White, “Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas,” Pages 698–715; “Judas,” Pages 716–722, in The Desire of Ages.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter’s lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges, and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter’s eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there.
“The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow. Conscience was aroused. Memory was active. Peter called to mind his promise of a few short hours before that he would go with his Lord to prison and to death. He remembered his grief when the Saviour told him in the upper chamber that he would deny his Lord thrice that same night. Peter had just declared that he knew not Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him, and how accurately He had read his heart, the falseness of which was unknown even to himself.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 712, 713.
Discussion Questions
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Perhaps the most poignant story from this week's study is Peter. From the sort of enthusiasm that is expressed in strong expressions of loyalty, and swinging a sword rather precariously, following Jesus to the court, and ultimately denying him. Peter is a character. His world fell apart when the rooster crowed.
Mark does not tell the rest of the story and we have to go to the Gospel of John for the restoration of Peter. When Peter and Jesus met again, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. And each time Peter affirmed his love for Jesus. Curiously each time, Jesus responds with, "Feed my sheep!" Peter's love for Jesus was to be expressed in his care for others.
The battle between good and evil has always been about selfishness and selflessness.
Well, to me the word "Selflessness" has no meaning. "Self Sacrifice" has more meaning to me than the word "Selflessness." And then it is "Self sacrificing Love" that beats even that because even selfish people sometimes will sacrifice their own lives for nothing like Judas did.
Thank you, Maurice, for repeatedly reminding us that "love" is fully expressed in action. Your thoughts remind me of a message I read by Pr. David Mathis, "Jesus Walked: The Selfless Pace of Christian Love". (The segment in brackets I inserted from an earlier portion of his message.)
Thank you, Esther, for sharing a portion of Pr. David Mathis' message "Jesus Walked: The Selfless Pace of Christian Love". To read about the Holy Spirit growing its fuit slowly, incrimentally in the Christian' life is easily understood! I have been blessed - again, thank you for sharing! 🙂
Although the lesson this week did not make mention nor compare the actions of Judas with those of Peter, there were more similarities than differences between then. Both men left their livelihoods to follow Jesus. Both men heard the same sermons and saw the same miracles that Jesus performed. Both men were given power by Jesus to heal the sick and to cast out devils. Jesus warned both men of their impending actions that night. But both men did the worst revolting and treasonous acts of human betrayal, to sell out your friend to his enemies (Judas), and to testify vehemently 3 times under oath (Peter) that he did not know his friend, a friend who he had dinner with a few hours ago.
What was similar between these men: they were both relying on their human nature. Rom 8:1 says, "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."
My friends, this is why Paul begs us, he implores, he beseeches us to give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit so that he can transform us from human to spiritual in nature. This is the only thing that will save us. But we have to want it! We have to hunger and thirst for it.
Jesus's acts of pity and gentleness in dealing with both men show his deep love for his children. He washed Judas's feet even though he knew what was in Judas's heart. Jesus also turned and looked at Peter, but it was not a look of condemnation, it was a look of sympathy and forgiveness, even though Peter had not asked for it. What a savior! Thank you Jesus for not giving up on me.
Thoughts regarding question 5 –
Jesus ‘walked the talk’ - His life demonstrated His love, trust, and faith in our heavenly Father; we are called upon to do the same. I consider a Christian to be a work in progress, shaped by God’s hands of providence and our faith. Hour by hour, day by day, we acknowledge through our actions that our life is lived by God's Grace through faith.
Jesus Christ often drew close to the Father in prayer. He knew that we need a teacher and comforter, and He asked Him to send us His Holy Spirit to be our teacher as well. By the Spirit, Peter was shown the weakness of his faith when fear, so common in our life, overwelmed him - and he wept. Though he did not abandon Jesus, instead, he resolved to be more determined than ever to follow Him by faith.
Believing that the multitude of heavenly hosts are sent to minister to the faithful at all times, reassures me that our life is in good hands. Always praying, always grateful for God’s blessings, always mindful of temptations ready to weaken my resolve to live by faith in God’s Word, I resolve to continue to trust God. As His children, we are cared for and graciously forgiven as we turn to Him who loves us.
It is amazing how love can move man kind if we only understand the significant of it. I love the way Melvin Pascal say it in his commentary. Jesus acts of pity and gentleness in dealing with both men show his deep love for his children. Man this move me .There nothing more touching than that ( taking the cross all the way ) what he did for man kind. No other love can do.