...turn back and repent...

“53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am, and ‘you will see the Son of Manseated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’ ” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the female servants of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the female servant, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and you talk like one.” 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept” Mark 14:53-72.

I have always felt drawn to the so-called “Personal Method” of reading and studying the Bible. I read the text, placing myself in each of the characters within the story. With my heart, I imagine myself present in the story at the very moment it is recorded. This is, for me, an helpful and honest way of reading and meditating on (thinking deeply about) the Scriptures. In todays story this approach is perhaps more important than ever to do, for if we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of criticizing “all those bad, evil people” who condemned Jesus for blaspheming. We can gleefully conclude to ourselves — and to others — that “we have never spit on, blindfolded, or struck” Jesus!

The problem with this way of reading and understanding the Scriptures is that we are often kidding no one, except ourselves. For a sin is a sin is a sin. And our sins include, metaphorically speaking, spitting on the face of Christ, blindfolding Him, and striking Him multiple times. We are sometimes at ease with putting Jesus in a box, and hiding the box under our bed for a spell. Then off we go to our own “spring breaks” where we step away from following Christ.

Today, pray for mercy and forgiveness. Stop kidding yourself about your sin, and return to the Lord, humbly. Ask for forgiveness and repent. Turn around, retrace your steps, and climb back onto the path again that Christ has laid out for you — and FOLLOW CHRIST!

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

From the Bible:

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…” Acts 3:19.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 4:17.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’”

Acts 2:38.