Scripture: Mark 14: 66-72
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it. Then 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 curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever compromised your integrity for the sake of saying what others wanted to hear? How do you seek to manipulate others and situations through your words? What would it mean to repent of such actions? How might you use your words in such a way to defend others and share God’s love with them?
Five-minute Story:
The story is true even though I’ve changed his name.
Before the accident, Sam was a big man. Strong willed, I imagine that he was the master of most situations. He was successful in his career and head of the household. Jim was the kind of guy that changed his oil and probably looked down upon those who didn’t. That was before the accident.
Sam was up on a ladder fixing the roof on his home when he fell. A massive body frame, he hit hard. The emergency responders carefully took him to the hospital. Somewhere, someone made a critical mistake that caused Sam’s spine to snap. In a moment, life forever changed for Sam.
I was on an internship in Utica, New York, when I visited Sam’s home. The large man was propped up in an equally sizeable motorized wheelchair. It was my first encounter with someone paralyzed from the neck down. Almost twenty-five years later, I finally find the courage to admit my fear. I was scared. What do I say? What do I do?
Although immobile, Sam took charge of the situation. He welcomed me, told me his story, even prompted me when it was time for communion. Thinking back, I appreciate his instincts and his care. The most remarkable aspect about Sam, however, was his spirit.
Sam’s faith was as big and strong as he. In marked contrast to his body that couldn’t move, Sam’s spirit was animated and filled with joy. He talked about Jesus as though he was a dear friend. Maybe it was because I was the intern, but Sam told me about his prayer life with an ease that made me think it was an ordinary conversation. Sam’s spiritual life was active and healthy even if his body was not.
I have often wondered how I would react to a sudden life-changing event that would deprive me of bodily functioning. Would I find the courage and strength to meet the challenge? Would I fall into despair? Would my faith be able to bear me upon the choppy waters of chaos or would it sink to the bottom of an unmerciful sea?
It frightens me to think that I may not have what it takes in the face of extreme adversity to hold onto the blessing of life and not want to just give up. Guessing about and assessing future strength is unproductive and a fool’s errand that is likely to only contribute to desperation.
In the years since my encounters with Sam, I have learned as a pastor that spiritual strength comes as a gift. A woman who cared intensively for her husband as cancer grew in his failing body, told me once; “God gives you the strength to do things that you can’t imagine.” She witnessed to this truth by her living and caregiving. Her strength came in increments to meet the challenge as it increased each day. Little by little, she received her daily bread by the hand of God.
Daily bread. We pray for this in a seemingly innocuous way as we recite the Lord’s Prayer. Give us this day our daily bread. Do we speak too quickly? Perhaps, it would benefit our faith to stop and think. What if we contemplate our most profound needs in this day? So consumed we are with our wants and desires that we too quickly pass over what we need. Life. Breath. Movement. Hope. Courage. Strength.
As we pray for daily bread, what if we thought of these spiritual needs? Lord give us the essentials so that we might face the challenges of this day and be aware of the joys around us. Help us to live beyond despair with a genuine hope that rests in your steadfast love. Where our bodies are immobile and broken, let our spirits be indomitable and whole. Come, Lord Jesus into our hearts and give us what we need for this day!