A familiar story but it’s great to revisit this because of the amazing message of hope it brings. Marks Gospel was written by Mark after interviewing personally the people whom were involved at the time. He wrote this account based exactly on those interviews (although it seems he got some of the events in the wrong order) and so this particular episode came from the mouth of Peter himself.

This is interesting because at the time which Mark was writing his Gospel Peter was the head of the Church. A very important person greatly respected and looked up to. So why would Peter want this; possibly his darkest, lowest moment, to became histories permanent record?

I think Peter wanted to show that even he; the leader, the head of the church had moments where he turned his back on everything he knew to be true because of fear and lack of faith. And yet God could use him; as dark and low as that moment of the denial was to do something quite amazing in this world.

Placing this story along side the touching moments when the resurrected Jesus reinstates Peter by asking him to affirm his love 3 times (John 21: 15-18), we see a great redemption story. One from which we can all take hope.

Because of the power of what Christ did for us at Easter there is nothing that we can do to separate us from his love and grace. We are never beyond His reach so long as we return to him and say sorry.

This Easter, let us not forget what it’s all about. Jesus died, and was resurrected to life for you.

Although make sure you enjoy the chocolate too. *smile*

This reminded me of a passage in Proverbs 8 (as well as many other places) where it is suggested that we humble ourselves. A number of years ago, as a very young leader in the church I found myself praying things like “…Lord please humble me…” or “…help me to be humble…” etc. etc. and then one day deciding that this wasn’t really something that was a great idea to be asking for.

If God decides to humble us (or even answer a prayer like the ones I uttered) then it’s going to get unpleasant. Much like the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 who were humbled by being led in the desert for 40 years being fed only by Manna from heaven or like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 who when humbled by God was striped of all his finery, driven from his kingdom and left to insanity eating the grass like an animal with hair like eagles feathers and nails like birds claws (hmmm pleasant).

The example set by Christ is to humble ourselves and avoid this sort of humbling by God. Jesus; who the disciples referred to as teacher, leader, Lord washed their feet. This of course was the job of a slave. (Note: not even a servant, but a slave.)

Humility is a choice. It’s a decision that we should make, to be humble. God can humble us, but it is not really something that we want Him to do.