Words, Actions, Heart

John 13:38 “Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.””

If I had to re-write this verse, which I would not, God has it the way He wants it, I would put “Will” in all caps, and then add “really” before lay. So often I have read this verse and jumped right to the rooster prophecy, knowing the story and how it ends. But read John 13, and slow down when you get near the end of the chapter. Look at the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.

OK, first, Jesus showed servant leadership with the washing of their feet. Then you have the precursor to the betrayal. All very worth noting and studying through. When I read this chapter, I could not help again but to see how Jesus responds to people when they ask Him questions or when they challenge Him.

Peter tells Him that he will lay down his life for Him. Jesus could have easily replied with the rooster prediction. But first, He gets right to the heart. “Will you really? Seriously?” (my paraphrase). I am as guilty as anyone for saying things and not following through (speaking of spiritual growth, specifically). It sounds so good to hear that I am going to change, do things better, and it is very easy to rest in the fact that I said it. I at least can feel good for a while. Then the reality of sin sets in, and I look back and see that I could have made better choices, I could have actively pursued what I said I wanted to.

Now Jesus knew Peter’s heart, just as He knows yours and mine. And He knows that the heart drives the actions, and time and time again when Jesus is teaching He is going for the heart. He knows that if the heart is right, what flows from that will reflect His glory. Alternatively, when we “perform” but do not take matters to heart, we only reflect ourselves.

We’ll read of Peter’s denial later. That is a well-known account. We’ll even see how Peter reacted to his own shortcoming, faced with his heart. This I can tell you here, tradition holds that Peter was executed for his faith, supposedly crucified upside down, as he felt it unworthy to be killed in the same manner of his Savior. So if Jesus had asked him “Will you (really) lay down your life for Me?” it appears Peter’s answer ultimately was “Yes”.

I’ve seen my reflection, I think people would rather see God’s. Who are you reflecting?