May 9, 2009 We All Stumble
Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26
Scripture Focus:
Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
Observation:
Jesus tells the disciples that ALL of them will stumble because of Jesus that night. They all deny it, beginning with Peter, but the rest of the story shows that Jesus was right.
Application:
We ALL stumble in our faith at one time or another. We do the unthinkable. We disappoint ourselves and our Lord, but that’s not where we should stay. If we are truly believers we will have remorse when we recognize our failings, and we will repent and return.
It’s no good to simply feel remorse, like Judas Iscariot, who hanged himself when he realized what he had done. God knows we will fail, but he also provided the means to return to him through repentance.
Prayer:
Abba Father, how grateful I am that you are ready to take me back, even after I fail!
