40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

THE WAY BACK

There are notable and expected crisis points in every life. Everyone must go through adolescence. Everyone experiences the death of a loved one. Everyone loses a friend. These are normal and to be expected. But the grief and ache are real.

In our text, we can sense the tension rising as Mark is accelerating toward the hinge point of Christ’s life: the death and the resurrection. Jesus opens a window in Peter’s life to see the suffering that is coming. Peter's intentions will fall short. He will fail—openly and painfully. Jesus will be abandoned by all His friends.

The gospel of Jesus is not for those who always keep their promises. It is for those of us who, like Peter, make promises we cannot keep. It is for those who fall asleep when they should stay awake. It is for those who at key moments are ashamed of Jesus and fail to stand up for Him.

As Jesus shines a light on how flimsy Peter’s intentions are, He also provides a promise in Peter’s failed promises. “After I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee” (Mark 14.28). Jesus promises that He will meet them on the other side of their failure. Although Peter will abandon Him, Jesus will not abandon him.

This gospel assurance is not an excuse to fail. It’s not as if our good intentions don't matter. But it is a picture of the grace that is tangible and striking: God keeps His promises even when we don’t:

• The many failed resolutions at the beginning of a New Year.
• The fall into a sin that we said would never happen again.
• Our awkward attempts at witnessing.
• The regrettable and hurtful things we’ve said to our loved ones.

God is not surprised at these and promises a way back from failure, "When you repent, I’m already there."

The way back is the way forward through prayer and repentance. Jesus directs His warning directly to Peter in this crisis moment: “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Mark 14:37,38). Yes, Jesus is praying for courage to face the cross. But no doubt, He is also praying for Peter and for us who like Peter may fail to keep our promises.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Father, thank you for the gift of repentance and that You are a promise keeper. You know where I will be tempted today. Open my eyes so I can see. Open my ears to hear the warnings. Thank You for the way back home and that You are already there!