“But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” (Mark 14:70-71)
Cursing and swearing? How often do we fall into the language of the culture pretending we are one with the world? Words are words, but they do have meaning. To take the name of the Lord in vain is to deny His saving power. It is not just swear-words, but the things that are behind them. Peter was trying to save himself. We cannot save ourselves. The Lord would bring Him to that knowledge.
Lord, there are too many times when I conform to this world because I am afraid. But am I more afraid of the world which can kill the body? You are the lover of my soul, but You also are the One who can cast me away from Your presence. You have said that fear of You is the beginning of wisdom. Help me so that I see clearly that Your love is greater than anything that can harm me in this world.
Lord Jesus, You gave Your life so that I could truly live. There are many circumstances that frighten me; but help me in such times to realize that being apart from You should frighten me even more. Lead me as You led the Apostles to come to the place where I do not fear the world or what it can do to me but love You such that I would be willing to lay down my life rather than deny You. Amen.
