What Jesus Did! 'You Were One of Them!' — Mark 14:66-67

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

[When the guards took Jesus away], Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, "You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth."
— Mark 14:66-67 NLT

Key Thought

Peter needs to warm his soul, but the fire can warm only his body. The chill that Peter faces is the kind of chill that descends on those who are profoundly disappointed, confused, and disillusioned with their faith. Peter could not stay awake in the Garden while Jesus prayed. Even though he drew a sword and tried to start a fight with the enemy, when Jesus told him to put the sword away, he didn't know what else to do. When the Lord was led away by an angry mob that had been directed to the place of prayer by Judas, one of Peter's friends, Peter's heart was broken and conflicted. So now, as he warms himself in the night chill, he is about to face a deeper chill - the chill of failure, brokenness, and defeat. When we find ourselves battling with those same issues, we need to remember that Peter's story doesn't end with his weakness, abandonment, denials, and failure. His story ends only after God uses him mightily. God can use each of us that way, too, if we will only let him.

Today's Prayer

Father, please forgive me and heal me. I need your grace, dear Father, but most of all I need you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 14:66-67 NLT — "You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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