ASL Shabbat Devotion: To Prison and to Death
English version:
“But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’” Luke 22:33
Peter declared this and a short time later denied Jesus three times. Peter made several commitments to Christ of this kind in the Gospels such as his confession at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:29), and his attack on one of Jesus’ captors (John 18:10). One may say that Peter was the boldest of the disciples. He was hardly ever ashamed of his apprenticeship under Jesus, recognizing Jesus as God Himself. Yet, he did become ashamed, and at a time when Jesus was being betrayed by one of His very own disciples, when He was undergoing trial by the leadership of His very own priesthood, and when He was being falsely accused by His very own people. Do not think that you would not betray Jesus because you are so spiritual and do not fear evil. Do not be choked up with pride, because then you will be defeated by evil, exactly what happened to Peter. This verse calls for fighting against self-righteousness. Paul wrote that he had to let go of his own righteousness so that he could be found with the righteousness which is from God (Philippians 3:7-14). If you’ve been plagued under chains of guilt, remember that Jesus even had to forgive Peter, one of the holiest disciples (John 21:15-17).
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