Matthew the apostle wrote as Jesus and His disciples, “All of you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse thirty-three of his book, Matthew writes how Peter said, “though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never” where we read:
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of you,
yet will I never be offended.
The verse reads, “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, ...” Matthew began words, “Peter answered” which means “Peter whose name means a rock or a stone and was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus responded” “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which means “to Jesus”, “though all men” or “whether and if, also and indeed each, every, the whole and everyone of the humans whether male or female” “shall be offended” which means “will be stumbled, enticed to sin, be caused to fall away and begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey” “because of you” or “on account of Jesus”. Matthew shared how Peter began to contest Jesus' statement about all of His disciples being “offended” because of Him.
The verse continues, “... yet will I never be offended.” Matthew added the words, “yet will I never” which means “no and in no way would Peter” “be offended” or “be stumbled, enticed to sin, be caused to fall away and begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey”. Matthew shared how Peter declared that he would “never and in no way” ever be one who “falls away from and deserts” Jesus.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see this “boastful” statement declared by Peter. He thought other disciples might “be offended” by Jesus, but he never would. Confidence in himself proves to be a poor choice for Peter as we shall see, but Jesus knew what was in Peter's heart. Jesus knows all people, and whenever they have confidence in themselves alone, they take credit for what God has given them the ability to do and be. God gives life, talent, abilities and gifts to people, and the greatest gift He has given is His Son Jesus to be their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise shall humble themselves and understand their own capacity not only to refuse to receive Him, but also to be “offended” by Him as well.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus says, “That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment