Peter sits writing, fine brush in his hand. He finishes writing and he sits back and surveys the words on the page. How well he remembers the incident that he’s writing about. Oh, if he had only known then what he knew now he began to re-read the words he had just penned. From that time, jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the ancients and the scribes and the chief priests and be put to death and the third day to rise again.
He winced now at the memory of what happened next. He, peter, had been alarmed at the master’s words Was Jesus overcome with doom? Yes, the scribes and Pharisees were plotting the Lord’s death, but this would never happen. God would not allow it. Peter, with heavy heart, leans over and writes and Peter, taking him, began to rebuke him, saying Lord, be it far from thee. This shall not be done unto thee. Speaker
Peter reads these words aloud to himself. He was about to write again. He hesitates, puts down the brush. Should he even write? What happened next? Speaker
He feels his chest contract at the memory that sears across his mind so often he failed to master. Contract at the memory that sears across his mind so often he failed the Master. His heart aches. If only he had listened that day he failed. Jesus missed his chance to join him on Calvary. But the Master’s words had stung him. Should he write the words? Should he let the word know how the Master had rebuked him, how he had treated him? The master had said Go behind me, satan. Thou art a scandal unto me because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men. Speaker
Peter sat still, eyes looking into the distance. He remembered the awful day, the day he denied. He knew the Master. Now, tears ran freely down his wrinkled cheeks, his breath caught in a sob. If only he had listened, he could have been on Calvary. But he must write the words, no matter how bad it made him look. He must write so the world will not make the same mistake he made. He wrote quickly. Then Jesus said to his disciples If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
