“My Sacrifice” (Mark 14:66-72)
“Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” – Mark 14:72
Scripture: Mark 14: 66-72
Question of the Day: Are you willing to put your life on the line for Christ?
Devotion: On the afternoon of April 20, 1999, our country was stunned as two gunmen entered Colombine High School outside of Denver, CO, and gunned down 34 students and 32 students and 2 teachers (killing 13 total) before turning the guns on themselves. One of the students who were murdered that day was Cassie Bernall, a 17 year old student. Cassie was made famous after the shooting for being challenged at gun point about her belief in God. When one of the gun men asked her: “Do you believe in God?” Cassie responded “Yes,” and he pulled the trigger.
We live in a world where faith is easy. We are not persecuted for our faith and we are not being killed for our faith. Most Americans claim to be Christian, and so we are able to be considered “normal” for having a faith. But this was not the case for Cassie Berdall and it was not the case for Peter that night in the courtyard of Caiaphas. It is easy for us to read this story and feel like Peter was a disappointment. But we should consider what we would have done in his situation. Would you have been able to stand up for your faith in an environment that belief in God was not acceptable? If you knew that belief in God would cost you your life, would you still be able to declare your beliefs as strongly as you do today?
Remember, Peter’s story did not end that night before the Crucifixion. Peter became a strong apostle for the New Testament church and preached about the love and forgiveness of Christ to everyone he encountered. He was one of the first preachers to the crowd after Pentecost and went on to perform many miracles. There is an old cliché that says “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” For Peter, his denial led to a stronger belief in Christ and he went on to do great things.
Have you ever felt that you were not comfortable expressing your faith?
Do you feel you would be able to profess your faith if you knew your life depended on it?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that we have denied you by our actions at times. We ask that you help us to find the strength to persevere and stand up for our faith. You have given us so much and ask for so little in return. We love you and we thank you for this gift of salvation you have given us.
Song: What if I Stumble- dcTalk
