“I Will Not Deny You”

“I Will Not Deny You”

Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else stumbles, I won’t.” But Jesus said to him, “I assure you that on this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But Peter insisted, “If I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” And they all said the same thing. (Mark 14:29-31)

With a time of emotional crisis just ahead, one might expect Jesus to give his disciples a “pep talk,” boosting their spirits and telling them how much confidence he had in their ability to handle what lay ahead. Might they have handled things any better if he had given them a pep talk rather than this somber warning? Spiritually, which is more important—to believe you’ve got the strength to handle anything, or to be aware that you need to rely on God’s power, which is greater than yours?