Awed By Christ’s Resurrection: 6 Days Of DecreaseSample

Getting Back Up When the Ground Shakes

Interspersed between the accounts of Jesus’ trials is the painful account of Peter’s denial. We know it well, and (if you are like me) wince each time the rooster crows. Somehow Peter’s story affects us differently from the story of Judas. Judas schemed against Jesus in secret. Peter tried to defend Jesus in public. Judas received compensation for his betrayal with thirty silver coins. Peter pledged to pay for his loyalty with his life. Examining the accounts, I cannot question the authenticity of Peter’s allegiance to Jesus. Sometimes fault lines can only be identified and mapped after an earthquake.

This is a sobering reality. We prefer our self-revelations pre-earthquake, thank you. However, some forms of disillusionment (such as Peter’s loss of illusions about the strength of his commitment to Christ) can only be triggered by massive movements in the ground beneath our feet. Though we know this in our heads, it is shocking to discover it in our lives: there is more weakness within us than we can see. Further, there is more weakness within us than Jesus chooses to reveal to us. Frankly, we could not handle seeing everything Jesus sees.

When an earthquake reveals internal fault lines that we never knew existed, and as the ground shakes, we fall into our own disillusionment, we need to remember to get back up, receive forgiveness, and call upon our newly acquired humility to strengthen others. 

Today’s Fast: Self-Confidence

Though self-confidence is often a highly valued attribute, when it comes to diagnosing the state of our hearts, God-confidence is our only hope. Self is a poor discerner of self, whether or not it is confident. God searches our hearts and minds and His faithfulness is worthy of our trust. This is where David invested his hope when he prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).

Peter could not see his fault line. But Jesus did. In the same way, we do not fully know our hearts. But Jesus does. Today, fast self-confidence and rest deeply in Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).