It is easy to be critical of Peter’s self-confident corrections of Jesus. First he corrected Jesus’ understanding of what it meant to be the Messiah. Then he boasted that he would die for Jesus. Before criticizing Peter, however, perhaps we need to look at ourselves. How easy is it for us to humble ourselves before God? What about humbling ourselves before other people? How easily do we receive needed correction from them or from the Lord? This kind of humility isn’t found within humanity’s self-seeking and honor-defending nature; it flows from the heart of God Himself.
“Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”—Matthew 7:5 NLT
Prayer: Jesus, keep us from pretending to be someone we are not. Show us who we are before you, human, fallible, yet unconditionally loved. Cleanse us from self-seeking, honor-defending hypocrisy. Flood our hearts with your humility instead, we ask in Your name, amen.
