One Year Bible for Friday, February 11th - Peter Denies Jesus Three Times!

Click Here to Listen to the Audio Readings for Today

Read Exodus 32:1-33:21

1. It is amazing how quickly the Israelites have forgotten the greatness and power with which God delivered them from the Egyptians. Impatiently, they wonder where Moses is, and ask Aaron to build a golden calf they can worship.  Aaron, instead of standing up as a leader, caves under the demands. 

Sadly they say,

"Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” 32:4

2. When God sees what is happening, he orders Moses to go quickly back down the mountain, as He is about to destroy the Israelites who participated in this wickedness.  Moses reminds God about the promises he made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. He pleads with God to change His mind. And God does. What an amazing thing! Moses' prayers led to a change of God's mind, as he reminded God of his promises.

3. God then orders the Israelites, led by the Levites, who obeyed God's instructions, to go toward the Promised Land. Along the way, God meets with Moses personally in a tent.  I love this verse because we get the first glimmer of God's desire and willingness to have a personal relationship with us,

"Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." 33:11

Read Matthew 26:69-27:14

1. Though Peter was audacicous and bold at times, today he fulfills the Lord's prediction that he would betray Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed, he was reminded of Jesus' prediction that he would deny him three times. Realizing his sins, he wept. Though it might be easy to look down upon Peter, we all in our own way deny Jesus when the chips are down. 

2. Next, we see Judas, who also denied Jesus, but in a more devious way. Judas also fulfilled Jesus' words that he would betray him. When Judas saw the consequences of his sin, as the priests and elders prepared to take Jesus to Pilate, he was filled with remorse and admitted he had betrayed innocent blood. He not only gave back the thirty pieces of silver, but went out and hung himself.

As I read this story of Judas today I wonder if though he betrayed Jesus, his repentance saved him. I hope so, though we will only know in heaven. 

Another sidelight is that the priests and leaders used the 30 pieces of silver to buy a potter's field which was used to bury foreigners. It was called the, "Field of Blood". Importantly this was prophesied by the Jeremiah in the Old Testament. Matthew again shows the events around Jesus' death fulfilling this prophecy. How else would Jeremiah have known this to happen 600 years before Christ if it was not true?

3. Finally, as the leading priests and elders ask Jesus if he thinks he is, "The king of Jews",  Just like yesterday when they asked if he was the Messiah Jesus replies, "You have said so!" After further questioning, Jesus remains silent as if to say, "You have already said what is true about me so I don't need to make any more comments!" Jesus is in charge not them!

"What Now" Study Questions:

Peter goes from drawing his sword to denying His Lord! Consider instances when you went down the same slippery slide and give thanks to God for His forgiveness?

Read Psalm 33:1-11

Proverbs 8:33-36


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