As Jesus begins to near the end of his ministry on earth, he claimed all of his disciples would leave him and that Peter would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:30-35). In typical Peter fashion, he retorted that he would never deny Jesus. But in just a few short hours, Peter had denied him three times. And it all started when Peter walked away from the community he had been with for three years.
As Jesus was arrested, led to trial, and ultimately the cross “all the disciples left him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Peter followed at a distance into the courtyard where Jesus was put on trial. It was there Peter denied Jesus the first time. Later, Peter sat around a fire again separated from the community he had known for three years. Here he denied Jesus the second time. Finally, Peter denied Jesus the third time sitting with the enemies of Jesus.
THE FIRST STEP AWAY FROM GOD IS ALWAYS AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
Community is absolutely essential to growing with Christ! Who is your community? Reach out to them today and share your gratitude for their place in your life! Don’t have a community? What’s your next step? How will you connect with community?
Ryan
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