Devotionals

Better Than We Know Ourselves

by Jennifer Woodley 
02/26/17
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Better Than We Know Ourselves

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.” John 13:38 (NRSV)

Often what we think is true about ourselves is in fact far from reality. Peter was the enthusiastic disciple who believed himself so devoted and faithful in service to His master that he would lay down his life for Jesus. Yet Christ saw beneath Peter’s apparently convincing confession to the truth of who he really was. He was a man who when put to the test, would not be prove to be committed to Christ, but would instead deny him.

The truth of who we are can be very confronting and hurt us enormously. Peter would have been confused and crushed by what Jesus said to him. How could his friend speak such cruel, confronting words? Did he really know who Peter, the devoted disciple was? Like Peter are we too blind to the dark shadows lurking in our hearts? Do we really know ourselves? Perhaps not, but Christ does. He sees straight through our confessions to the intent of our hearts.

Jesus knows us best of all. And despite all, he still loves us deeply and generously.

Let us bring all of ourselves to the Savior. Allow him to speak to us about the shadow parts of who we are. And as Peter did later in the Gospel, let us seek his forgiveness and begin again with a heart set on loving Jesus.