By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Today we conclude on the Reflection we started yesterday about how dangerous it is to live one’s life trying to prove a point to others.*
*Please permit me to ask you this question :*
*”Do you know why Peter, the disciple of Jesus, faced the toughest challenge of his life and failed?”*
*It was because he wanted to prove a point to Jesus and everyone present on how bold, firm and unshakable he could be.*
*He also wanted to demonstrate his undiluted loyalty to Jesus as seen in :*
*Matt 26: [31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.*
*[32]But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.*
*[33]Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.*
*Without any controversy, Peter had always been a bold disciple, if not the boldest of the 12. In this case too, he wanted to prove he was the most loyal of them all.*
*Well before Jesus’ arrest, Jesus said all the disciples would fall away that night on the account of his arrest.*
*Of course, Peter responded differently: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”*
*He was making the point : “I’m different. You can count on me.”*
*Peter proceeded to prove his loyalty by taking the following actions :*
*I) He made the bold pronouncement affirming his loyalty loud and clear for Jesus and others to hear.*
*ii) After the arrest of Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, later that night, Peter followed at a distance. He had earlier pulled out a sword in trying to defend Jesus.*
*iii) Peter even stayed behind around the courtyard where Jesus was being tried, still trying to show he hadn’t abandoned his master.*
*Despite all the efforts of Peter trying to prove his loyalty above, he still ended up denying knowing Jesus 3 good times as predicted.*
*Matthew 26:[58] But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.*
*[69]Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.*
*[70]But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.*
*[71]And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.*
*[72]And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.*
*[73]And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.*
*[74]Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.*
*Can you imagine Peter who had loud mouthed his firm determination and loyalty to Jesus “cursing and swearing to deny his association and identification with Jesus”?*
*Peter’s action confirmed the exact opposite of what he wanted to prove, thereby falling away faster than the other disciples who never bothered proving any point.*
*One great lesson for every one of us is that confidence in your own capacity or ability is a bad way to prove loyalty, Peter tried it and met with disappointment :*
*Mat 26: [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.*
*If you go about your life trying to prove a point here and there, how many points will you prove in a lifetime?*
*Your success and progress in life is not dependent on proving any point to anyone.*
*Please don’t let ego push you or drive you, just be yourself, trying to prove points will only create more troubles and challenges for you than solve.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
