CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE/A Growing Need for Forgiveness -Conclusion

 Later, in the garden of Gethsemane, Peter needed correction more than once. Jesus asked him, as well as James and John, to keep on the watch while he prayed. Jesus was in an emotional agony and in need of support, but Peter and others fell asleep repeatedly. Jesus made this empathetic and forgiving observation: "The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak." - MARK 14:32-41.

Before long, a mob arrived, bearing torches and armed with swords and clubs. Here was to act with caution and discretion. Yet, Peter rashly leaped into action, swinging a sword at the head of the head of Malchus, a slave of the high priest, and lopping off one the man's ears. Jesus calmly corrected Peter, healed the wound, and explained a principle of non-violence that guides his followers to this day. (Matthew 26:47-55; Luke 22:47-51; John 8:10, 11) Peter had already given his Master much to forgive. His case may remind us that we all sin frequently. (Read James 3:2) Who of us does not need divine forgiveness every single day? For Peter, though, the night was far from over. The worst lay ahead. 

Next time: CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE/Peter's Worst Failure

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