...sorrow...

“26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away, for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’

29 Peter said to him, ‘Even though all fall away, I will not.’ 30 Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times. 31 But Peter said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ 33 He took with him Peter and James and John and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me, yet not what I want but what you want.’ 37 He came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ 39 And again Jesus went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to say to him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.

43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ 45 So when he came, Judas went up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ 50 All of them deserted him and fled.

51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked” Mark 14:26-52.

I am forever struck by infinite mysteries in this passage, so let me focus on just Peter who reminds me of myself. I am someone who has always wanted desperately to follow Christ, but my sin has tripped my feet along the path. How often I have heard the Lord say to me, “This day…this very night…you have denied me multiple times.”

And all I have done is “desert Jesus…and run away naked” — naked of sufficient faith, sufficient hope, and sufficient love, despite God’s sufficient grace.”

So today, dear friends, I invite us all to examine who were are in the face of Jesus Christ, confess your sins, and follow Christ!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

From the Bible:

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” 2 Corinthians 7:10.

“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us”

2 Corinthians 7:9.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Matthew 5:4.

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to David, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me…” Psalm 51:1-19.