15 February 2010
Psalm 25; Prov. 27:1-6,10-12; Phil. 2:1-13; John 18:15-27

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Could the disciples have ever imagined how dramatically their lives were going to be thrown upside down? We live as though tomorrow were guaranteed to us and we have no such guarantee at all. Wisdom for daily living is truly important to us and the book of Proverbs is there for us to learn from in order that we might truly keep the commandments of God but also that we might have wisdom for the journey of life.

Peter and the other disciple (presumed to be John the Gospel writer), have an up close and personal view of the trial before the high priest. We know this as Peter’s betrayal of Jesus after Jesus had prophesied it at the dinner table, and the memory of this night must have been one Peter replayed time and again. Wisdom here says to do exactly what Peter does, save your own skin, for what good would it do Jesus if Peter aligns himself with Him? The measure of love, however, is entirely different from that of worldly wisdom. Jesus’ identification with us, persevering all the way to the cross, is the way to which we are called, the way of love.

This great passage from Philippians is the perfect example of love triumphing over self-interest. Paul calls us to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” Culturally, this was against the grain for the times, and it isn’t much different now. Clearly it requires us to be born again to act in this way, selfish ambition is who we are, who we have always been, if you doubt that re-read the first four chapters of Genesis or the story of Jacob that we have just been through. Jesus showed us the way to live in a sinful, fallen world in order to reveal God’s true way. He is our example and our guide for the journey.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.