Disowning Jesus

In the book of Exodus when the Israelites are fleeing the Egyptians, they begin to fear for their lives and become upset with Moses for taking them away from their life of slavery into what appears to be certain death.  This is just before God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape and the Egyptians to die instead.  Moses has to remind them just Who is fighting on their side.

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

                                                                                                ~Exodus 14:13-14~

This was not the first time God had provided miracles for the Israelites and He has performed countless miracles since His people wandered in the desert.  Over and over throughout Scripture, people seem to be on the brink of death or disaster and the Lord comes through and provides.  Over and over in my own life, He has continued to show up and provide miracles.

But I find myself like Peter and the rest of the disciples.  These twelve men were Jesus’ closest friends.  Yet it says in Matthew 26 that Peter disowned Jesus three times as the Lord foretold.

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

                                                                                                ~Matthew 26:75~

And when Jesus was arrested, ALL the disciples deserted Him.

…Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

                                                                                                ~Matthew 26:56b~

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus confided to these men He loved that He was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”  He asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch with Him in His despair.  Yet they fell asleep.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

                                                                                                ~Matthew 26:41~

How often do I disown Jesus through my actions?  How often do I fall asleep and fall into temptation when I should be watching and praying instead?  Do I desert Jesus?  I’m sure I have on multiple occasions.  But the beauty of Jesus’ love for us is that no matter how often we disown Him, flee from Him, fall asleep on Him, He still stands up for us, marches up to the cross, stretches out His arms, and dies for us.  That is amazing grace.