Beyond the Weekend: Road to the Cross
In Road to the Cross, Pastor Jeff Manion and other teachers look at four snapshots of the last week of Jesus’ life. We see the real pain and suffering Jesus endures. Jesus’ humanity is on full display, which should cause us to reflect upon our role in his suffering and what the cross means for us today.
Immune
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. Mark 14:31
Read: Mark 14:27-31
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY'S MESSAGE
How easy it is to think “I would never do that!” when other people do the wrong thing. Led by Peter, the disciples blatantly declare their loyalty to Jesus, thinking they were immune to failure. But within hours, as Jesus is arrested, they break their promise to run and hide.
Peter tries and fails miserably to keep his promise. He defends Jesus but uses violence when he cuts off a man’s ear with a sword. As Jesus is taken away, Peter follows but keeps his distance. Peter tails him to the high priest’s house, but three times denies he knows Jesus. It’s no wonder he breaks down sobbing when the rooster crows.
To think you’re immune from doing wrong is sadly naive. Jesus taught his disciples to pray “deliver us from evil” because he understood how vulnerable we are to our misplaced pride. It’s not like we don’t want to try to do what’s right. We just can’t do it without God’s help.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Admit to God you are not immune to doing what is wrong by praying, “Gracious God I need your help not to do something today colossally wrong that will offend you and affect the rest of my life. As you taught your disciples to say, ‘Please deliver me from evil,’ and help me do what is right."
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
