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Category Archives: Peter and John

Peter & John — Matthew 27:56

17 Sep

Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew 27:56

Dear God, it’s interesting that Matthew skips so much detail. We will find out in other Gospels that John was there with his mother. We will get Peter’s redemption scene along the water. There’s just a lot that Matthew leaves out.

I can’t remember how much the other Gospels mention her, but I’m curious to see how much them mention James and John’s mother. I know she gets mentioned as a foolish person asking for greatness for her sons, but I don’t remember anything beyond that. In this case, Matthew is careful to point out that she is here at the cross, but she’s not there at the tomb on Sunday morning. Was she too busy being worried about her boys? Was she part of hiding them? Of course, anything would be a guess, but it is notable that somewhere between Friday night and a Sunday morning her priorities shift.

Father, I’m grateful the other Gospels give us more about Peter’s redemption. I’m also glad we get more details above John. Continue to teach me as I go through this process and get into Mark tomorrow.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 17, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:57-58,62-75

16 Sep

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end… Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ” Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26:57-58,62-75

Dear God, I wonder what it was like for Peter to sit outside Caiaphas’ house and listen to them beat Jesus. The adrenaline from the garden was gone. He didn’t have his sword any longer. Now he was just scared.

I am sure he felt helpless to stop what was happening to Jesus. I am sure he was scared for himself. As much as he had been anticipating a heroic opportunity to fight with Jesus and follow him to death, now he was anticipating a much less glorious death—helplessly being beaten and killed. Would he be forced to confess or deny that Jesus was the Messiah? Would he have to name names and indict his fellow disciples? I’ll bet he was playing it forward in his mind, and none of it was good. Admitting his identity and his allegiances would cost him everything and seemingly gain him nothing. His hubris in the upper room at the Passover meal was exposed.

It’s ironic, I suppose, that it was his love for Jesus that put him in this position. John is presumably around somewhere, but he is apparently successful at lying low. But Peter was up close. If he had run like the others he would never have been in the position to have to lie. Peter was still showing how special he was just by being there. He put himself in a position to fail, which is something that nearly all of the other disciples weren’t willing to do.

Father, I know I am going to fail you. I know that I will get into situations that will confuse me or even scare me, and I will let you down. But I guess my prayer is that you will still lead me to those situations and teach me in my failures as well as my successes. I don’t want to live so safely that I never fail. I want to live a life that exposes myself to opportunities to succeed for your glory and the potential for failure as well.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 16, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:50-56

15 Sep

Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Matthew 26:50-56

Dear God, it’s interesting that Matthew picks now to keep Peter anonymous. We know this because of the other Gospels. One weakness to my approach in just looking at a little bit from one Gospel at a time is that there are details available in the other Gospels that are pertinent to the story, some of which I’ve forgotten. But one I haven’t forgotten is why they even had the swords in the first place.

At the last supper, apparently Jesus told them to bring swords and if they didn’t have one to sell something so they could buy one. I’ve never understood that command. Why? Did Jesus just have a weak moment? Is there a lesson in there about the idea that there is a time and place for violence? Or did he want the opportunity to heal this man (oh, in other Gospels we learn that Jesus heals the ear)?

It’s a peculiar story with lots of emotions and drama. It’s obvious, however that Peter was, indeed ready to fight and die. In the moment he was ready to die for a Jesus. However, he had run the scenario in his mind of how it would happen. It would be a gloriously violent end and he didn’t mind drawing first blood. So when he told Jesus he would follow him to death he actually meant it—he just prepared for the wrong circumstances. He hadn’t really prepared his heart for whatever might come. Maybe this is why Jesus beseeched him to pray for himself just a short time earlier.

Father, I often lay out plans of glorious bravery in my head. I’ve imagined myself rushing a church shooter or airplane highjacker. But then other opportunities of confrontational bravery present themselves to me and I pass them by. So this is where I pray for myself. Help me. Help me to be as brave as you need me to be in any situation. Perhaps it will mean I should say something at the right time. Perhaps it will mean I should remain silent. Perhaps I will need my figurative sword and perhaps I won’t. Just prepare me and make me ready for what comes my way today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:36-46

14 Sep

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[f] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Matthew 26:36-46

 

Dear God, I wonder why Jesus singled out the Peter, James and John to go with him to pray. And then, after they fell asleep, he singled out Peter among the three of them. He seemingly allowed James and John to keep sleeping. But “he said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

 

I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before that Jesus admonishes Peter to pray not for Jesus and what he’s about to experience, but for Peter himself. Maybe he wasn’t worried as much about John and James. He knew that John would follow him all of the way to the cross. But Peter was about to be sifted and ripped apart and he didn’t know it. He didn’t know what the heck was going on.

 

I’ve noticed in myself lately an apathy towards worshipping you throughout the day. You’ve done some amazing things for me both professionally and personally over the summer, and I guess I am not feeling like I deserve a little “me time.” And by “me time” I mean self-indulgence. I want to do things that artificially stimulate me. I want to listen to “fun” music as opposed to worshipful music. I want to dive headlong into watching college football even though a day of watching it alone will leave me feeling empty and unsatisfied. I want to eat out with friends and coworkers. In short, I’m fat and happy, and I apparently don’t feel the need for you. It’s probably as much or more of a time of prayer as ever, but I am asleep in the garden. Am I like John and unknowingly prepared to follow you to the cross, or am I like Peter and I should be in absolute prayer against falling into temptation?

 

Father, there are more subtleties to this story that I realized. When I look at it focused on Peter, James, and John instead of focusing on Jesus’ experience I am learning things I didn’t expect. So that you for what you are teaching me. Thank you for calling me back to you even though I can be so faithless. Help me to keep from falling into temptation. Help me to be strong for you and your Kingdom. Help me to be your servant in all things. I need you, Father. Help me.

 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

 

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:31-35

13 Sep

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Matthew 26:31-35

Dear God, I can appreciate Peter’s sentiment here. I want to believe the best about myself. I want to see myself as brave. In a world of church and school shootings, I’ve sat next to my wife in church and imagined what I would do if there was a shooter. I have to tell you, in my mind, I often come off as very brave, although it usually involves me dying in the process. But is that really what I would do.

I think I remember when I was growing up hearing people commonly say, “I’m willing to die for our freedoms.” But 9-11 changed that. When we all started to feel vulnerable of a mass scale we decided that it was okay to sacrifice some of our freedoms so that the government could do more to protect us. We gave them some of our privacy and in exchange we received some pretty good protections.

As for John and the other disciples, I wonder how many of them were ready to leave immediately. Hearing Jesus talk like this must have been difficult. It’s hard to be a coward while another one in your group is exhibiting so much bravery. But I’m sure at least a couple of them were saying, “Oh yeah, me too!” but inside they were thinking, “I think I have to go to the bathroom. I wonder if anyone will miss me if I don’t come back for awhile.

Father, there are a few lessons for me in this. One is of humility. I am not as strong as I think or hope I am. The other is leadership. Peters declarations, albeit hubristic, led those who were afraid to at least say the right thing. It was positive peer pressure. Well, I have that opportunity every day, not only in my work, but in my other relationships as well. So I guess my prayer is that you make me a humble and wise leader. And do it all for your glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 26:6-10,14-15

12 Sep

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:6-10,14-15

Dear God, here’s something I don’t think I had ever linked. I don’t think I had ever wondered whether there was a connection between Simon the Leper and the woman with the perfume. Was Simon her friend? Is her gratitude for what Jesus did for Simon what drove her to do what she did? It’s never mentioned, but it’s an interesting, albeit vague, detail.

From there, I wonder how much of what the “disciples” were thinking and saying was shared by all or just a few. Did Peter and/or John agree? And then at the end, we know what Judas did. How many other disciples left this encounter angry and I satisfied?

I guess the final question is, how do I feel about this woman doing it and Jesus’ response? How often do I criticize how others worship you? Perhaps it is being critical of their style of worship. Perhaps I don’t like how they give their money. Maybe I’m just insecure about how my worship measures up or judgmental about how they aren’t as good as me.

Father, help me to look for and see the best in others. Help me to see those who love you and worship you along with them. Help me to learn from them. Help us to build your community so that others will be drawn to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 12, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 24:1-3

11 Sep

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? ”

Matthew 24:1-3

Dead God, I’d love to know more specifically who was talking when “the disciples” ask Jesus questions. It seems Matthew likes to tell us when it’s Peter speaking, but other than that we rarely get an insight into who is speaking. So I’ll just assume that, for the purposes of looking at Peter and John, that they were both thinking what “the disciples” were thinking in this story.

I’ve been in places before where I’ve told the person I’m with, “Wow, look at that building (or mountain, or valley, etc.).” I’ve been impressed with what I’m seeing. In this case, it seems that Jesus was trying to keep them dialed in and focused for this week. It’s almost as if to say, “Hey guys, we’re not here this week to take in the sites. We have work to do. I have work to do.” It’s like the coach of a small football team that takes his team to a big stadium to play. He’s trying to keep a team focused on the game and not let them get distracted by the beauty that, at the end of the day, doesn’t matter to how the team will perform.

Father, help me to keep my eye on the ball and stay focused. There is a lot of stuff going on. In fact, today is a huge day at work. I ask for your blessing upon this day. Make this work for your glory. And help me to see what’s important and what isn’t.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 11, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 21:12,14-15,19,23,28-31,42-46

10 Sep

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

Matthew 21:12,14-15,19,23,28-31,42-46

Dear God, I’ve intentionally copied snippets from chapter 21 because I’m looking at them as a whole and wondering how Jesus’ actions and attitude impacted Peter and John while they watched him do this. And I could draw the assumption that Jesus was just putting on a show for the Pharisees to inflame them against him, but he cursed the fig tree too. No, I think he had a lot of frustration that was coming out and knew he didn’t have to hide it anymore because this was the week.

Now here’s where I make a lot is unfounded assumptions that should NOT be seen as truth. I would imagine that Peter and John had different internal responses to Jesus this week. I think there’s some evidence to show that Peter was getting amped up. For example, when Jesus says some will betray him, Peter jumps out and says he’s willing to die for Jesus. Then in the garden he pulls out his sword and cuts off someone’s ear. He was ready to go.

John, on the other hand, is pretty quiet. We know that he will ultimately follow Jesus through to the crucifixion. I would imagine that this would have been a confusing time for him. Why is Jesus doing these things? This all seems really out of character or against what he’s taught us.

Father, I’m not sure what all of this has to do with me or how it applies to my life today. It will be interesting to see what going through this process of looking at both John and Peter will show me about them, about myself, and about others who are wired differently than I am. I have a dear, dear friend who is so much Peter to my John. I love him and he loves me, but there are times when we don’t understand each other. But we know we need each other to share wisdom, insight, and our respective perspectives on you. And we both know we need you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 10, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 20:20-28

08 Sep

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She *said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:20-28

Dear God, I’m this series in learning more about how John and Peter compare with each other, this is one of the few we’ve gotten so far that specifically mentions John.

I guess what I’m thinking about here is John’s family of origin. Did John (and James) grow up with a sense of entitlement? In Mark, when Jesus first called them while they were fishing with their father, it’s says they left him with the hired men. So while they were fishermen, they were the boss’ kids and presumably the heirs apparent. Did they leave behind more wealth to follow Jesus than Andrew and Peter did? Did something in them hope for more financial reward for following Jesus? Did their parents see them as having irresponsibly run off to join the circus, or were the believers? I’m sure they had seen the miracles. Maybe their mom was a believer as well, but she could help trying to give her boys an advantage over the others. It’s also interesting to consider given the passage before when Peter says that they gave up everything to follow Jesus. Did James and John give up just a little more because they had it to give?

We don’t think much about the disciples’ families being around because we are only given very small snippets about them. But here we have John’s and James’ mother talking to Jesus. And she dragging her boys along and making them bow to him. I don’t know how many times in the Bible people feel compelled to bow down to Jesus, but it wasn’t many. He wasn’t that kind of leader. But they were putting him into that category during this interaction probably because they were looking for that kind of power for themselves. In other words, in the pecking order, we bow down to him, but then the others will bow down to us.

I don’t know how old John was at this point, but the one thing we know from this story is that he didn’t stop his mother from doing this. Did he agree with her or not? We don’t know. But we know that he went along with it.

As a privileged white male in our society, I have a lot of advantages over others. Some I have chosen to use for my own gain and some I have intentionally not used in response to your call. But I confess that there are times when I would love to live a wealthier, more powerful, more influential life. I would love to insulate myself from the harder parts of our society and built a tight cocoon around my me and my wife. I have certainly not purged all of the worldly desires in me.

Father, I come to you this morning mindful of my selfishness and my desire to be in control of my life. I am no better than John or James. Help me to get one step closer to turning loose of all of that and embracing your kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 8, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Matthew 19:23-20:16

06 Sep

And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; 4 and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ 7 They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ 9 When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. 10 When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

Matthew 19:23-20:16

Dear God, there is a neediness and insecurity in Peter’s question of Jesus. After the “rich young ruler” leaves, Peter wants to make sure that 1.) Jesus is proud of him and 2.) this is all going to be worth it.

And Jesus seems to affirm him. I might have thought Jesus would have gotten on to him, but Jesus has some teaching to do. And this story about the vineyard workers applies to Peter and the disciples in two ways. First, they are the laborers that joined later in the day. Second, one day, they will be the ones welcoming laborers even later in the day. So the good news is that the master hired them and they are working in the vineyard. They have the grace of a full day’s wage for only partial work. The bad news is that it will soon be their job to hire more workers who get the same wage (except for the sitting on thrones and judging the twelve tribes of Israel part) and they will need to be accepting of it.

I got to visit with a friend yesterday about our faith and how we work that out as individuals. While we talked, I hoped to share with her some of the things you’ve taught me over the last 30 years. And she was able to share her life lessons with me as well. My perception is that she is already part of your vineyard staff, but she is still figuring out how you would have her work. What does living out her faith on a daily basis look like? How does she approach her children, parents, husband, etc. when it comes to her faith and relationship with you. I pray that you will help her to find the answers for which I think she is searching.

Father, help me to be at peace and to not have Peter’s need to know that the reward is on its way. I don’t want to simply use this relationship with you for my ultimate reward. I want to be in this relationship because you love me, you gave yourself for me, and you are my source of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2018 in Matthew, Peter and John

 

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