Scripture: John 13:36-38: 19:38-42 (CEB)
John 13:36-38
Announcement of Peter’s denial
36 Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow me now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I’ll give up my life for you.”
38 Jesus replied, “Will you give up your life for me? I assure you that you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.
John 19:38-42
Jesus’ body is buried
38 After this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took the body away. 39 Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy-five pounds in all.[a] 40 Following Jewish burial customs, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths. 41 There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Ron Johnson
Peter denied the Lord three times before the cock crowed as the Lord had foretold. Peter’s impulsiveness and his tendency to “rush in where fools fear to tread” was seen finally by him as futile. After the Lord forgave him and when he was hesitant to forgive himself, Peter learned to give himself, his will, and his fears over to God. He decided to “trust and obey” and wait for God to move him in the right direction.
Like Peter, we too have been reborn and renewed in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our earthly, temporal and shackled bodies are now gone. Jesus now occupies our bodily temple. Now we must learn to be unafraid and wait patiently for our reunification in Heaven. The Holy Spirit shall guide us as promised by the Lord upon His ascension. We must rely on the gift of the comfort, guidance and assistance of God through His Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Lord, teach us to wait for your call and guidance. Teach us to wait for You to move us and not to act rashly on what we think is right. If it is your will, there will be no doubt. In Jesus name, Amen.”
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