Mark 14:27-31
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Do you remember how the story ends? It ends with denial. More emphatically in Mark, we get no telling of the resurrection. Kind of paints a bleak picture. As I write this, it is 4:30 in the afternoon. It is bleak and dark, with a threat of rain.
We can focus on the negative, get caught up in our own misery, or hope for the resurrection. We can read about the promises we make to Christ, like the disciples. Then we can either focus on our past failures and knowing that we will probably get it wrong again, or choose to look at Christ for the forgiveness that only he can give. Jesus calls it like he sees it, like it really is. Yet Christ still loves us and cares for us.
There are times when we focus on what is wrong, what has been wrong, or what is going to be wrong. As Christians, we celebrate the fact that our faith is not based upon our successes or failures, but Christ's love for us. As God continues to carry us through another work-week, or to the beginning of a restful weekend, let us give thanks for the joy that comes in the morning, even though the sorrow may last for the night.
Prayer: God of love and forgiveness, mend my attitude. Let me see the hope that though the darkness comes, the sun also rises. Amen.
G. Thomas Martin
