I'm good.

I imagine Peter sitting on the steps after denying Jesus three times, contemplating what he had just done.

It is just hours before Jesus is crucified. In the middle of the night, under the cover of darkness, Peter, from shadow to shadow, pursues Jesus's fake trial. He wants to witness, not abandon his friend. His beloved teacher. His Christ. Remember, Peter was the disciple who first publicly acknowledged Jesus for who he is. He was the one brought into the upper room of resurrection even before the cross. He was the one on whom Jesus said the church would find its first pillar. He was faithful. Obedient. Devout. In love with Jesus. And yet - he was also the one prophesied to deny him.

I look back on this story and wonder if Jesus was warning him for the sake of changing outcomes, or preparing him to walk through inevitability. In any case, Peter, out of pride in his faithfulness, dismissed the warning. It is a reminder that we can serve a saviour and still not fully understand who he is. We can honour his works and still, out of arrogance in positioning, not heed his warnings. "Not I" is Peter's response. "Never me" is Peter's positioning. Instead, my Christ said something, and no matter what I feel, I should pay attention to it.

I will be honest: this isn't where I was going when I started writing this post. But God seems to be doing something in His church. So many of us don't even bother reading the red letters for ourselves, let alone heed their instructions and warnings. Some of us cherry-pick our version of obedience. Sometimes I drive an Uber, and I can't tell you how many Christians have an "I'm good" attitude.

• Do you go to church? "No, I am good." (Jesus regularly went to the temple, as was the custom of the day.)

• Do you read your Bible? "No, I am good." ("If you love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15)

• Do you pray? "No, I am good." ("Pray then like this." Mathew 6:9)

• Do you spend time with the Holy Spirit? "No, I'm good." (The story of the lamps. Mat 25:1-3)

So often we take for granted the warnings and wisdom of Jesus because we have the big part - salvation - covered, just as Peter did. But our words, our actions, and our confession look less like a Jesus follower and more and more like the crowd condemning him. Do you say he is Lord and then, out of pride in your faithfulness, live like you're good, or do you keep your heart open to heeding ALL of his instruction?

These are questions to ponder in a season where some draw near, and others deny they even know him.

May God bless you and keep you,

Happy Saturday!

Susanne