Grand Intentions

Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter —this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same. Mark 14:29-31

WHEN PETER SAID IT, he meant it. He was all in when it came to Jesus and his mission —at least what he understood to be Jesus’ mission. But he was unaware of his own weakness and his misunderstanding of what the Kingdom of God really is and what it requires. So he arrogantly proclaimed his own fidelity to Christ as superior to everyone else’s. He confidently put himself forward as an exception to what Jesus told him would happen. Mark tells us that all of the other disciples then made the same vow. Their grand intentions only seem to add to the tragedy when we read a few verses later, “Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away” (verse 50).

We are more like Peter and the rest of the disciples than we would care to admit. We convince ourselves that we are wiser, stronger, and more righteous than we really are, and because of our overconfidence, we step into danger. We are certain we can peek at pornography and not become enslaved by it. Our children are certain they can go to the party and not be persuaded to drink alcohol. We want to think that we will be strong enough in our faith to put everything on the line when we’re pressed to compromise, but we cave.

It was the discovery of his weakness that made Peter strong. His self-confidence vanished, and a sense of utter dependence upon the Lord grew in its place. Perhaps that’s why Peter encourages the readers of his letters to “prepare [their] minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13), “stay alert” (1 Peter 5:8), and “be on guard” (2 Peter 3:17). Peter knew firsthand that good intentions are not enough to protect a person from the darts of the evil one.

Lord, as much as ________ may want to be strong in the face of opposition and temptation, and as good as his intentions may be to be true to you, ________ is weak and so in need of your Spirit. ________’s spirit is willing, but his flesh is weak. Keep calling him to watch and pray so that he will not give in to temptation.