Mornings

I like mornings… once I’m awake and dressed.  I like them after I have eaten and once I have been outside to see the sunshine.  I’m not a fan of actually getting up…I happen to think that mornings would be better if we could have them in the afternoon.  Think about it… you could have all of the beauty of a sunrise after you were awake enough to appreciate it.  Sadly enough, that is not how the world works.  So if you are a little sleepy this morning, I can understand.  Maybe it will even be to my advantage… after all, someone has said that great preaching is the art of talking in other people’s sleep.

But no… it is morning and it is a good morning.

It’s Friday morning.

I want you to imagine that it is another Friday morning...

It is the Friday of Jesus’ Passion Week.

Jesus’ entire life has been leading up to this Friday.  Today he will die.

Peter's Problems

Peter's Bad Day

It’s Friday morning and Peter is already having a bad day.

He’s frightened, he’s upset, he’s angry, and he is exhausted because he has been crying all night.

He knows that the Jewish leaders have taken Jesus to stand trial before Pilate.  It is only a matter of time before the crowds will yell and the order will be given for Jesus to be crucified.

Peter has a lot to think about.

I can imagine some of the memories that are running through Peter’s mind.    He might be remembering some of the good times… the laughter, the learning, the miracles.  He might be remembering the transfiguration when he saw Jesus’ glory… or last Sunday when they paraded into Jerusalem… but I think that Peter is remembering some other events.    You see, last night… just last night…Jesus and Peter and the other disciples had a very special evening together.  After dinner was over they went out to the Mount of Olives.  On the way there, Jesus said something that Peter just could not believe: “You will all fall away.”

All of us?  Say it’s not so!  It cannot be!  Not the loyal twelve… certainly not Peter the courageous leader! – “Even if all fall away, I will not!”  Peter was confident, but Jesus looked him in the eyes and answered, “Truly I tell you, today – yes tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”  No way.  Peter would not believe it.  It couldn’t be – he wouldn’t let it be true!  “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!”

This morning those words are echoing in his mind…

because Peter isn’t going to die with Jesus…

Peter's Bad Night

You see, something else happened last night…Something that kept Peter awake in guilt and grief all night long…

Last night, a crowd of people and a group of soldiers came and they arrested Jesus.  At first, Peter lived up to his claim that he would never fall away.  Peter tried to fight… not that his aim was very good… but he did cut off a man’s ear.  Jesus made him stop, though… Jesus healed the man… he let himself be arrested!  Peter could hardly believe it!  So the crowd took Jesus and carried him off to the house of the high priest.  Peter still followed though… he wasn’t going to back out now… he wouldn’t let Jesus down…  When they arrived, Peter decided to bide his time.  It was cold, so he went over to the fire in the courtyard and he tried to warm up while he waited. 

Then it happened.  A girl came by.  At first, Peter did not think she was very threatening, but then she stared at him and said, “You were with him too… with the Nazarene, Jesus.”  Peter froze for a moment… “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” he said.  Then he tried to walk away, but she followed him.  This time she said it to the people that were hanging around by the entrance… “This guy is one of them.” 

But Peter denied it… No way.  Not me.  Not true.

Peter’s denial didn’t convince the bystanders.  After all, his northern accent gave him away… “Surely you are one of them,” someone said… “after all… you’re a Galilean.” 

Peter was frightened and he didn’t want to back down.  What would happen if these people arrested Peter because of his connection to Jesus? 

Peter being arrested certainly would not help Jesus… in fact, Peter could easily be killed without helping Jesus at all.

So Peter began to call down curses to convince them that he was telling the truth.  He swore to them... “I don’t know this man you are talking about!” 

At that very moment the rooster crowed.

Then, Peter realized what he had done…despite all of his bold words, he had disowned Jesus three times… just like Jesus had foretold.

At that, Peter broke down and cried.

Peter's Bad Memory

It’s Friday morning.

Can you imagine Peter’s feelings? 

Pilate has condemned Jesus… the soldiers have beaten him and mocked him… the crowd stood by in approval… the crucifixion is about to begin.  This is the longest Friday morning there has ever been.

As Peter thinks about the things he has said and about what is about to happen, I imagine that he remembers something that happened a few weeks ago.

Jesus and Peter and the other disciples were travelling.  As the walked, Jesus asked them a strange question… “Who do people say that I am?”

The disciples shared a few things that they had heard people say about Jesus. Then Jesus asked, “What about you?  Who do you say that I am?”  Peter knew the right answer… and he believed it too… “You are the Messiah!”  Jesus was pleased with Peter’s answer, but he did not want everyone to know yet… so he warned them not to let the secret out of the bag.  It was a good moment… Peter was rather pleased with himself.

But then, Jesus began to tell them strange things… things that look all to true this morning.  Jesus told them about how he would have to suffer… how he would be arrested and killed.  He also said something strange about rising again after three days, but by then, Peter had stopped listening.  No way… This can’t be right.  Peter began to rebuke Jesus… This wasn’t the way the Messiah was supposed to behave.

But the master turned and rebuked Peter: “Get behind me, Satan!  You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Woah… that hurt.  It was hard for Peter to understand.  My words… like Satan’s words?  How can Jesus be unconcerned about his own life?  How could the messiah lose his life?  It didn’t make sense.

But Jesus kept speaking and he began to teach the crowd…

“If people want to follow behind me, they must disown themselves and pick up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul?  Or what can you give in exchange for your soul?  If any of you are ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his Father’s glory and with the holy angels.”

At the time, it was hard for Peter to wrap his head around.  What did Jesus mean – those who lose their life for Jesus’ sake will save it?  How could trying to save your own life put your soul in danger?  One thing was certain… Peter did not intend to be ashamed of Jesus… ever.

Today is Friday

But today is Friday and things seem different.

A few weeks ago, Jesus told Peter to disown or deny himself and his own desires and instead to pick up his cross and follow Jesus even if it meant his own death.  Yesterday after supper, Peter claimed he would do it… even if everyone else ran away and Peter had to die with Jesus.  But then last night… last night Peter did not disown himself.  Instead, he disowned Jesus because he wanted to save his own life.  Peter got it backwards.  For the moment, Peter was safe.  But Jesus picked up his cross and carried it to the Place of the Skull and there he gave up his life for your sake and for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel.

And Friday finally ended.

Sunday's Coming

I am glad that the story did not end on Friday.  I am glad that on Sunday morning we will gather to celebrate the resurrection.  I am glad that there is hope, and joy, and love, and life.

I am also glad that Peter did not despair.  With Jesus’ forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter grew into the courageous leader that he had always wanted to be.   Christian tradition says that eventually Peter did pick up his cross and follow after Jesus – literally.  He learned that if he wanted to save his life he would lose it, but if he lost his life for the sake of Jesus and the gospel, then he would save it.

Application

So what does this mean for us?  How does it affect you at your church, your high school, your home, your workplace?  Do Jesus’ words have consequences for you and for me?

I want to emphasize that the most important thing about Good Friday is that Jesus, the Messiah, God the Son, came to live and to die so that we could have a relationship with God.  He gives that grace to us as a free gift and it is amazing.

But Peter’s story challenges me…  It’s a challenge because it says that you can know all about Jesus and the cross without actually listening to what Jesus says.  Jesus said that the people who want to follow after him… to be his disciples… to be Christians… they weren’t just supposed to know about him.  They are to disown or deny themselves and to pick up their cross and to follow Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t just using regular verbs when he said that… those were commands.  On another occasion, Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey his commands.

So… how do we obey?  What does it mean for me and for you?

For Peter, and for many Christians in our world today, it literally means dying for the sake of Jesus and his Gospel.  I don’t know whether you and I will ever have to pick up that kind of cross.  Would you be willing to do so?

It’s important to realize that the word which we translate deny or disown does not mean to dislike yourself or to think that you aren’t worthwhile.  Actually, Good Friday should be a reminder that you are incredibly valuable… Jesus was willing to die for you.  When Peter denied Jesus, he basically said… I don’t follow that guy.  I don’t belong to him.  He isn’t my master.  When we disown ourselves we say, “I don’t follow myself… I follow Jesus.  I don’t belong to myself… I belong to him.  I am not my own… Jesus is my only master.”

If you can say that and really mean it, it may change your life.  It may mean making choices based on what you believe Jesus would want for you rather than on what is convenient or profitable.  It may mean acknowledging your faith to your non-Christian friends. It may mean following Jesus in ways that you never thought were possible.  It may cost you something.  It may even cost your life.  But when Jesus comes in his glory he will not be ashamed of you.  You will share in his resurrection life.

Its Friday morning… what are you going to choose?

Prayer

Let’s pray:  Jesus… Thank you.  Thank you for your death that saves us and your resurrection that raises us to new life.  Thank you for forgiving our failures and for challenging us to be more like you.  Jesus, your words are challenging, but we want to be your followers.  Please help us to disown ourselves and pick up our cross and follow you.  We love you.  Amen.