Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written;
‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’
Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’
‘I tell you the truth, ‘Jesus answered ‘this very night, before the cock crows you will disown me three times. But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same. – Matthew 26: 31-35
Peter’s denial epitomises one who has not yet woken up the spirit. He stands for the person who has understood the word of God with their mind. He is like the person who has read the bible and who feels that everything in it makes logical sense and is sound advice. His denial represents the person who adopts the principles of the bible as a way of living using their physical strength, intellect, good sense and moral uprightness to follow the teaching. His denial represents one who incorporates the bibles statutes into their lives, disciplining themselves like soldiers in an army to abide by it word for word. They say to themselves no pain, no gain. They admit that the word of God will break their backs, but they will carry it. They say they will deny their body and carry the cross
Furthermore the denial is like the person who is inspired by the word of God when sitting in front of the minister in church or like the person who attends an inspirational life coach conference and promises to put everything into practice throughout the week. They promise to take the necessary steps advised to change their lives around, yet no sooner are they out of the inspiring atmosphere then they lose sight of their good intentions and slip back into the mundane unconscious life style that they had before.
What we fail to realise is that we cannot worship God with the physical body, with our physical strength or intellect. The message is not for the physical body, although it benefits the physical body. It is a message for the spirit and the spirit cannot be nurtured unless you are conscious of it. It cannot be developed unless it is awakened from its slumber. Then and only then will the bible make sense, then and only then do you seize to undermine the power of the message. Then and only then will you have the strength and faith to stand firm acknowledging and experiencing the power of God in all circumstances of your life.
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