I used to worry that I would deny that I was a Christ follower if I were backed into a corner. Would I be faithful? I wonder what the disciples thought when Judas betrayed Jesus, and when Peter denied that he knew Jesus. Each of us can work our entire lives to develop a good reputation but could ruin it in a few seconds of poor decision making. Will be faithful to who Hod has called us to be? In my struggle with these issues, I’ve decided that I have been focusing on myself too much. God is far more than faithful. He knows my heart and knows my frailty. His grace is sufficient for those moments of disappointment and discouragement. Hs will NEVER leave me or abandon me.
“When you are exhausted, discouraged, overwhelmed, and barely holding on to hope, it’s tempting to work yourself into thinking that things are not as bad as they seem or that you’re better off than you actually are. But because denial doesn’t deal with reality but avoids reality, it never goes anywhere good. It will never give you what you need or help you be what you need to be when the unthinkable enters your door. But because Jesus walked in your shoes and faced what you now face, you’ve been forever liberated from the trap of denial. You’re free to be weak and to cry out in weakness and free from ever having to put on a spiritual act.” - Paul David Tripp, Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense
“ His enemies wouldn’t dare lay hands on Him in the temple, so Jesus went outside the city, and in the dead of night, hundreds of soldiers came to arrest Him. Jesus is now resolved to go to the cross. He steps out of the shadows and asks, “Who are you looking for?”
“Jesus of Nazareth.” Even when Jesus identified Himself, for a moment, nobody recognized Him. Even Judas didn’t know Him initially. Have you ever noticed verse six? “Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”
For just a moment, Jesus revealed His glory and the soldiers fell backward—not forward in worship, but backward in fear and in absolute dismay. Utter confusion broke out. Just for a moment, they see more than Jesus of Nazareth in front of them; they see the Lord of glory, God revealed in human flesh. This all happened to fulfill prophecy (see Psalm 27:1-2, 35:4, and 40:14). Even in this dark hour, for just a moment, Jesus reveals who He really is.” - J Vernon McGee
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