After supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and “went out to the Mount of Olives” (Mark 14:26). On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night” (Mark 14:27).
Stumble. To stumble is to trip and fall. Jesus meant that they would fall away from Him that night.
Peter's answer. “Peter said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be’” (Mark 14:29). Peter was sure that he was stronger than the others.
Jesus' answer. “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times” (Mark 14:30).
Even louder. “But he spoke more vehemently, ‘If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And they all said likewise” (Mark 14:31). Vehemently means very strongly. All the disciples made the same promise.
I will lay down my life. At supper Peter had said, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake” (John 13:37). Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for My sake?” (John 13:38).
Trusting himself. Peter really loved Jesus. But he trusted his own heart more than Jesus' words. Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself.
A wise warning. “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). A fool here is not someone who is not smart. It is someone who leans on himself instead of on God.
Take heed. Paul wrote, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). To take heed means to be careful and watch out.
Who laid down His life? Peter promised to lay down his life for Jesus. In the end it went the other way. Jesus laid down His life for Peter. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Why it matters. Jesus died for Peter's sins and ours, and on the third day He rose again. We are saved by what Jesus promised and did, not by our promises to Him.
What to do. Love Jesus with your whole heart, but lean on His strength, not your own. Tell Him every day that you need Him.
Peter fell that night, just as Jesus had said. But a fall does not have to be the end. The prophet Micah wrote words that a person who has fallen can pray: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8).
Looking to the Lord. Just before that, Micah said, “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). He looked to God, not to himself.
Do not rejoice, my enemy. Micah spoke for God's people when they had sinned and been brought low. Their enemies were glad to see them fall. But God was not finished with them.
When I fall, I will arise. Falling is real. Sin is real. But a person who trusts God does not have to stay down.
A light in the dark. “When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” When you feel sad and ashamed because of something you did, it can feel dark inside. The Lord can be your light.
Honest about sin. Micah went on, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord, Because I have sinned against Him” (Micah 7:9). Indignation means anger at what is wrong. Micah did not pretend. He told God the truth.
Brought out into the light. “He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness” (7:9). God does not leave His people sitting in the dark.
Up again. “For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again” (Proverbs 24:16). “The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). To uphold is to hold someone up.
Who lifts us. We do not get up by ourselves. Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and He lifts up everyone who comes back to Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
Bold as a lion. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). The Peter who failed at a servant girl's question would one day speak about Jesus boldly in front of crowds.
What to do. If you have fallen, do not stay down and do not hide. Tell God the truth, trust Jesus, and get up again with His help.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.