“All will fall away.” – Mark 14:27 (Mark 14:27-31) (Matthew 26:33-35) (Luke 22:31-34) (John 13:36-38)

When tha Twelve be gathered with that Son in the Upper Room on tha night ‘fore he whar to walk ter tha cross Old Pete spouted off like a whale, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

Of this ya may lay: our boastful self always be comparing us ter others: comparing and puttin’ us above others like we be better than common folk. Worse, our “smug, puffed up” self always be opposed ter tha will of tha Son and Skipper. That be tha attitude of Old Pete while he shared tha Passover Meal with tha Son: smug, superior, and entitled ter tha best spot at tha table.

Now tha Son, not wishing ter scold Old Pete ter harshly, said ter him, “Peter, I tell you the truth, today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows you will disown me three times.”

Pete shot back, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Why he might as well have said ter tha Son, “No, mate, ya be wrong. I know better than ya what sort of starch I be made of, and I am telling ya, I kin sail any distance ya travel.”

Our own opinion of how good we be makes us blind ter our sorry state. Fact be, we give ourselves high marks and others a low score fer tha same effort. Once our head gets big as a top sail it kin take days, yers sometimes, fer Skipper kin knock tha wind out of our canvas. Now because Old Pete boasted of his loyalty, his mates felt obligated ter follow his lead and boast tha same: that they would rather die than deny tha Son. That be another mark of our self glory: it attracts them who be filled up with thar own self.

“Simon, Simon,” tha Son said, “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.

Now ya might think tha Son would lecture Old Pete on how humility be tha mark of a disciple, but instead tha Son prayed fer him. This be a lesson fer us as well. When we be inclined ter lash out and put folks in thar place, pray fer ’em instead.

Tha Son alone—and his Holy Ghost of Truth—be tha only ones able ter show what be wrong with folks without hurting and wounding ’em. It be impossible ter get close ter Skipper when ya ‘ave a critical attitude ’bout others. Tha size of our noggin simply be ter big fer sitting in Skip’s lap. Our judgmental attitude makes us cruel, vicious, and harsh with folks and leaves us with tha fatted, flattering notion that we be somehow better’n others.

“When you have turned back to me,” tha Son said ter Old Pete, “strengthen your brothers.”

Blinded by his pride, Old Pete thought he be walking with tha Son when he actually be walking away. Always be on watch fer any notion that causes ya ter think yer self better’n tha mates around ya. Every fault we see in others, Skipper finds in us, of this ya kin be sure. 

But also ne’er ferget that tha Son be right ready ter restore ya once ya ‘ave turned back ter him and taken on tha heart of a servant. Repent and restore, them be that steps of those who follow tha Son.