"Occupy till I come." Troubling times arrived with the interrogation and condemnation of Jesus. The religious leaders declared, "...we will not have [Jesus] rule over us." This rejection led to the end of Jesus' physical ministry and his life. His disciples and followers were also considered transgressors. Now the followers of Christ are responsible for the will of God that is accomplished in the earth. My peace is not as the world gives. Jesus is not able to help or intervene directly; it's our job. We must hear the Word of God for guidance. Three ways to know when you have been regenerated: 1) Keep the commandments; 2) Spirit of God bears witness to us; and 3) love the brethren (with actions).
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107: Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38
WHEN THEY came to the Mount of Olives, Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.’ But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, saying:
“Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet I will never be offended.”
Jesus answered him:
“Verily I say unto thee that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”
Peter answered:
“Though I should die with thee, yet I will not deny thee.”
All the disciples said the same.
Then Jesus said to his disciples:
“When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?”
The disciples replied:
“Nothing.”
Jesus spoke to them, saying:
“But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, ‘And he was reckoned among the transgressors.’ For the things concerning me have an end.”
The disciples answered:
“Lord, behold, here are two swords.”
Jesus answered:
“It is enough.”
One of the disciples–Judas, but not Iscariot–asked Jesus:
“Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?”
Jesus replied:
“If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things I have spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, ‘I go away, and come again unto you.’ If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, ‘I go unto the Father;’ for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you; for the prince of this world cometh; and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”