Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – July 28, 2016

matthew27-75

Joshua 9:3–21; Romans 15:1–13; ; Matthew 26:69–75

“That woman is the Queen of Denial!” I have heard people say this when someone has not faced the truth of a situation. Peter became the “Denier of the King” as he stood in the High Priest’s courtyard to see what would become of Jesus. Peter ran when the Temple Guard came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane. He fled, lurking in the shadows to save his own skin. Then he denied knowing Jesus three times. The rooster crowed and reminded him and he wept bitterly.

Denial is often our first defense when accused. We want to alter history, pretending that we have not failed God. Like Peter, we are the kings and queens of denial. We do not want to confess that we sinned. God is not fooled by our denials. In the liturgy we hear: “But if we confess our sins, God who us faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God will forgive us. Jesus forgave Peter when he appeared along the lakeshore (John 21:17), then gave him this commission, “Feed my sheep.” Jesus gives us the same commission to stop denying him, and start proclaiming him!

Prayer: Lord, help me to be honest with you. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Randy Conley, Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake, MI.

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