Aug 22

"When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid" (John 19:8).

And well he should be afraid. If only more people would tremble in the presence of Jesus. He who does not does not know who Jesus is or who he, himself, is. For when the truth about ourselves is revealed, we should tremble. And then when the truth of who Jesus is revealed to us, we should tremble even more.

Peter experienced both of these revelations -- and that more than once. Prior to Jesus' glance at him during his trial before Pilate, Peter had seen both his own sinfulness and Jesus' holiness. He had seen his mortal nature and Jesus' divine nature. He saw the truth. All this took place in a boat on the sea, when Jesus had caused a great catch of fish to take place. Peter saw this miracle first-hand. But he saw much more than that. He saw reality. And what was his reaction to truth, to reality? When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees in fear and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'" (Luke 5:8).

Jesus calmed Peter's fears that arose suddenly like a storm in his heart, just as he calmed the physical storm later on the sea. He told him not to be afraid. Why? Because he knew Peter. He knew that he would respond to his call to lay down his own authority over his soul and hand over that authority to Jesus. He issues the same call to each of us.

Scripture for today: John 12:23-26
Thought for today: Jesus calls me to lay down my life for him, even as he did for me.
Prayer for today: Jesus, I lay down my life for you.

AUG 22