Would You Have Mocked Him?

The comfortable approach to Bible study is to come upon the recorded dark deeds of others and express or feel contempt and anger towards those who did evil. I have, at times, admittedly felt better about myself after reading of David’s sin with the beautiful Bathsheba. I have thought, “Well, I’ve never done anything as bad as Saul did before his conversion.” And, I suppose we would all like to think we would have somehow treated Jesus better than those who denied, rejected, mocked, or killed Him. So, when I ask, “Would you have mocked Christ along with the scoffers?” I want you to pause a few moments before you answer with boldness.

            During the last supper, Jesus revealed a painful truth to His disciples. “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Mat 26:31) Peter was especially disturbed by the thought of this betrayal and said, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” (Mat 26:33) Then, Peter received a personal prediction that cut him deeply as Jesus told him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Mat 26:34) Peter was so sure of his dedication that he assured Jesus he would die before he would deny Him. But in the end, Peter’s fear conquered his faith and he was reduced to bitter tears after he had vehemently denied that he even knew the Lord.

            Perhaps we would have stood firm and had courage that Peter lacked when he denied Jesus. But there are other ways to deny. Keeping silent when we need to stand up can be as bad as cursing Christ. When I think about my mistakes, which I commit out of weakness, not fear of persecution or death, I’m afraid I would have scattered with the other disciples. I fear I would have run away and denied the Lord because of fear. I’m scared that I would have mocked to blend in and go unnoticed. I do know that when I give in to my weaknesses, I am wounding Christ all over again and even showing contempt for Him. (Heb 6:4-6)

Encourage and even rebuke the scoffers, the mockers, and the deniers. But realize that some of their weaknesses live in you, and strive even more diligently to be faithful.

----Darrell Powell