Opening Prayer
As I anticipate living this day, Lord God, please guide me by your Spirit—in my thoughts, my work, my conversations—even as I play. Help me to be different so that others see Jesus in me.
Read LUKE 22:24–38
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
Footnotes
- Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Think about the grace of God in our moments of weakness, and give thanks to God.
Think Further
In the midst of Jesus’ warning to the disciples about his impending betrayal and suffering, the disciples were fighting over who was the greatest among them. Greatness in the kingdom is not about power, status, and authority, but about attitude, service, and faithfulness. Jesus demonstrated greatness throughout his life. He washed the feet of the disciples. He offered his life as a ransom for many. He reminded the disciples that a true follower is one who serves. In the midst of the argument for greatness, Jesus turned to Peter and warned him about his coming weakness and his threefold denial— although Peter was sure that he was ready to serve in prison and even die for Jesus to prove his greatness and loyalty.
Jesus prayed for Peter, not that this failure might be averted, but that his faith might not fail. He also prayed that Peter would learn from his weakness and failures, so that he would be in a better position to strengthen others who also failed.
Sometimes, our best lessons in life come through reflection on our failure. A Chinese proverb I learned when I was young is that ‘failure is the mother of success.’ Relying on our own strength is not sufficient to resist the temptations that come our way. Peter may have been self-confident among his friends, but when questioned by outsiders he faltered. Yet, our failures are not beyond the grace and mercy of God. Let us not trust in our own strength but rely on God’s. If we fail, let us realize that there will be opportunity for us to be restored. Above all else, let us be comforted that Jesus is interceding for us that our faith will not fail.
Apply
‘Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’1
Closing prayer
Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me, and for your unending forgiveness for my sins and failures. Thank you that you know all about me, love me, and even pray for me.
Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by kingstar
