Peter’s Alarm Cock, John 13:36-38

The disciples are still around the triclinium in the Upper Room.

Their feet have been washed; Judas has left the building with satan in him.

Jesus told His disciples that in a little while He would have to leave; and they would have to love.  Not just any ol’ love but a new love; His love.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… by this all will know you’re My disciples, John 13:34-35.

His whole life was an example of perfect love, but He kicked it into overdrive during this dinner.

How?

Well, for starters, by washing their feet.

Then, by loving His enemy; using Judas as the object lesson. Knowing he’d betray Him, even still, He invited Judas to the supper, gave him the seat of honor beside Him, dipped bread with him, discreetly let him know that He knew.  

The disciples didn’t understand all the love He was showing them at the time.

And that, is a lesson in itself. Trust. Obey. Enjoy the journey with Jesus, without needing to know all the details of every turn.

Obedience brings understanding.

Walk in His love, and the rest will fall into place.

Simple, right?

Yea, it might be simple, but it sure ain’t easy.

At least not for Peter…or me, perhaps you.

 

Oh, for Pete’s sake, Pete, you’re still thinking about that (John 13:33)?

Did you miss the whole love commandment conversation? The most important command ever given, and you’re stuck on the, I’ve got to leave, comment?

Did Jesus shake His head, smile and say: “What am I gonna to with you Pete?”

Peter was focused on the nuts and bolts. What’re You doing? Where are You going. Give me the info and we’re good to go.

Jesus is focused on the heart, no matter what you’re doing—the why is what matters. As long as Love is the motive, (the fuel), the what will work.

Pete was ready and willing to go wherever with Jesus. Just give me the facts, tell me the plan, and I’ll do whatever You want.

Pete’s not alone, is he? It’s easier to do, than be.

We can go through the motions, getter done—but can we do it with the right attitude? Can we honor God in the thoughts and intents of our heart while we’re walking the line, wearing that smile?

That’s a little more challenging.

But God created us as human-beings, not human-doings. The first word to man was “Be…” not “do”.

But doing is so much easier than being.

Just give me the rules, make it black and white, the dos and don’ts.

Go here, say this do that. No prob.

Go to Church. Read the Bible. Say some prayers. No sweat.

Smile. Be nice. Don’t cuss, chew, go with those who do. Got it.

Toe the line. Piece of cake.

Walk the straight and narrow. No worries.

Just lead the way Jesus, I’ve got this.

Gather the bread, pull in the fish, round up the people, prepare the meal. You can count on me. Let’s roll. I’ve got Your back.

But… check my heart?

Oh boy, not so fast.

What if the thoughts and intents of your heart scrolled across the screens all throughout this service?

 

It’s not Your time, yet. But soon, it will be. Then, you’ll follow Me, and we’ll be together, afterward, forever.

Trust Me, Peter. People. Obedience brings understanding.

Through faith and patience, they received the promise. Hebrews 6:12.

So far, He’s been their training wheels. Running beside them, holding them, directing them, keeping them from falling. But now, He’s letting them know, He’s letting go. They’ll need to balance, and pedal, and steer, on their own.

The just shall walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Habakkuk 2:4.)

They all should’ve known this was coming, and where He was going.

Faith comes by hearing, the Rhema Word of God, Romans 10:17

He’d told them all along, who He was, and where He was going. We've read it at least once in every chapter so far in John.

John 1:29; Behold the Lamb of God…

2:19; destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up

3:14; as Moses lifted the serpent, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up

4:26; …I who speak to you am He. (Messiah; to the woman at the well)

5:17; My Father has been working until now, and I have been working (making Himself equal to God)

6:51 ; the bread I give is My flesh, which I give for the life of the world

7:19; Why do you seek to kill Me? …33 I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You shall seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.

8:21; I am going away and you will seek Me and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.

9:4; I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming…

10:15; …I lay down My life for the sheep

11:25; I am the resurrection and the life

12, a triple play:

12:7; speaking of Mary anointing His feet, “she has kept this for the day of My burial”

12:22; the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…

12:32; If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself (speaking of His crucifixion).

13:33; Little children I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, “where I am going, you cannot come,”

They were told. They should’ve known, Who He was, what He was doing, and where He was going.

So should we.

The most popular question ever asked. “Why?”

I’m Your disciple. Disciples follow their Master. I don’t understand. Why can’t I go? Afterward? After what? Stay? Wait? Without knowing? Understanding? Just stand? Alone? W-w-without You? You won’t be here? I-I-I don’t know.

Why?

Who’s going to protect You?

Why is this happening?

Why don’t You tell me what’s going on?

Why are You doing this?

Why can’t I do that?

Jesus is calling forth faith. Like when He called Lazarus from the grave.

FAITH is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen… Hebrews 11:1.

No facts, no details. Just trust and obey.

Peter vows that even if all the others drop the ball, he never will.  

Matthew 26:33-35, Mark 14:29-31, Luke 22:33-34.

Of course, the Lord being omniscient, seeing the end from the beginning, it happened just as Jesus said.

They will leave the Upper Room, go to the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus will ask the disciples to watch and pray with Him.

But they fall asleep.  

Jesus tells Peter: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37–38).

Peter, willing to die for Him, but evidently not willing to stay awake for Him, falls asleep and then later that night falls into temptation—and denies the Lord.

After the third denial, the cock crows.

Peter’s Alarm Cock, gave him a Spiritual wake-up call, for Eternity.

Peter wept, and satan desired to sift him like wheat, to grind him to powder, toss him to the wind…

but Jesus had prayed.

Peter repented and returned.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter’s first sermon—three thousand souls were saved. Acts 2:41. A thousand souls for every denial.

However, some people were cruel. It’s said that during his preaching hecklers would, “cock-a-doodle-doo.”

Eventually, Peter, was crucified upside down, as he said he was unworthy to be hung on the cross the same way as his Lord. Tradition says, his wife was crucified beside him.

Maybe Peter didn’t pay attention during the first love lesson, but Jesus gave him another chance. After the Resurrection, Jesus met them by the shore, made a fire and some breakfast. They ate.

Then Jesus asked three times; Peter, do you love Me?

Yes, You know I do. Pete, repeated each time.

And then, Jesus gave Peter the answer he’d longed for…

“Follow Me.” John 21:19.

He’s still saying it…

 

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus,

Peter’s not alone, we too have denied You. As You forgave him, and commissioned him, and told him to follow You, thank You for doing the same to us.

We, pray for the same commitment, and passion, of Peter, to follow You, from this moment, through eternity.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

 

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

 

Watch online:

Facebook: Peter’s Alarm Cock, John 13:36-38

You Tube: Peter’s Alarm Cock, John 13:36-38

 

Will you help spread His Good News?

If only 44 more people go to our You Tube channel, and click "Subscribe" and "Like" (thumbs up icon), then, we will be able to offer, You Tube Live. (That way we won’t be tied to facebook only).

Thanks for helping sow Good Seed.