seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 13:31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Verse 38 "Very truly I tell you,"... In today's language... could it be "Yeah right, you'll disown me three times before dawn!" It's not as classic as the rooster but the "Yeah right" fits the moment. I wonder if Jesus snickered at the absurdity of Peter giving up his life for Jesus.Imagine what would happen.... you're living in an occupied territory. The occupying forces hang people on poles like popsicles of the Persians. Instead of hanging them by the neck, or shooting them up with poison, or chopping off their heads, the enemies of the occupying forces were hung from a cross for everyone to see. Human bodies were their sign that said...."Don't mess with us"!
Imagine you found a man who could call down thunder! This man could talk to God! This man had a heritage that went back to the great kings of the land, David and Solomon. Imagine having that guy as your leader in an occupied territory, you call home. Then imagine.... he says he's leaving and you can't go yet! What?!? Is He disserting us? Is He going to run away?
They thought they had found the Messiah. They thought they had joined up with the one who would take on Rome. They thought they were part of a resistance, gathering forces, and getting ready for the battle to end the cruel Roman occupation of Israel.
Peter said he would die for Jesus. He was a bigheaded soul! He actually thought he had what it took to defend Jesus. He was looking for someone to run the Romans out of town, because he sure couldn't, and now he's claiming he will fight to the death for Jesus' army?!? He didn't have a clue. His faith wouldn't make it through until dawn.
I think, in today's language, Jesus was saying.... with a sarcastic snicker....
"Yeah right! Your faith won't make it through the night!"
:coffee