April 1, 2021
Maundy Thursday, B
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
You Are Still Beloved
Most of us have absolutely no idea what we would do in a crisis situation. If our lives were suddenly in eminent danger, how would we respond? We may know what we would plan to do, just as Peter and the disciples had all planned to stay by Jesus’ side even if it meant their death. Like Peter and the other disciples, however, our plans may not match up with reality, simply because in that life or death, high stress situation, our thinking brains tend to shut down and Lizard Brain takes over. Any plans we made go out the window, and whatever wiring we’ve got down there tells our bodies, “Nice idea, Sparky, but here’s what you’re going to do now.” That’s what happened with Peter, when he truly planned to die with Jesus if need be, but the fight or flight part of his brain, over which he had virtually no control, wasn’t gonna have it.
Jesus knew this instinctual nature within his disciples was going to take over. He knew them better than they knew themselves. So, perhaps in Jesus’ prediction of their denial and abandonment of him, he wasn’t trying to frighten, shame, or even warn them. Perhaps instead, Jesus was letting his disciples know ahead of time that he knew them, he knew their failures and their faults, and he sill loved them and was with them to the end.
Perhaps Jesus was telling them of their actions ahead of time so that afterwards, as they felt guilty and apologized, Jesus could remind them, “I already knew. You were afraid and you did the best your minds would allow you to do. I knew. I understood. I understand, and you are still beloved. So peace be upon you and let your failure go.” Peace be upon you, and let your failures go. God already knows. God already knew, and you are still beloved.
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