What Jesus Did! 'Never Say' — Matthew 26:31-35

Sunday, November 30, 2025

On the way [to the Mount of Olives], Jesus told [the apostles], "Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

'God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there."

Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you."

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, Peter — this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me."

"No!" Peter insisted. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same.

— Matthew 26:31-35 NLT

Key Thought

It is not difficult to confess Jesus as Lord and pledge our allegiance to him when we are around church people in church settings doing church things. But loyalty is a little more difficult to come by when the world around us is antagonistic and hostile. Our intentions and commitments may be clothed in valor, but in the face of cruel opposition, commitment of any kind may be hard to find. Such is the way of fickle humans. Such is the way sometimes for me, I am ashamed to admit.

Just as Jesus had warned, Peter's resolve melts under pressure, hostility, and misunderstanding. Would mine? When the true test comes, Peter denies him, Judas betrays him, and all the other apostles forsake him and run away in fear. Would I do the same?

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I don't want to be a Judas or a Peter and betray or abandon Jesus under pressure. I need your help, Father, to be the person you want me to be. Please empower me to be bold in declaring my faith in Jesus and my allegiance to you, whatever the circumstances. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 9:35-38
  • Matthew 16:24-26
  • Matthew 26:74-76

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Right Here, Right Now!
Article by Alan Smith
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The Misunderstanding
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Without understanding the cross, we turn Christianity into another human contest about self-importance. Phil Ware shares his third post on The Question, Peter's confession of Jesus and how he had to be broken before he could really understand what his confession meant.
Raise Up Many Disciples
Article by Lois Tverberg
Becoming a great rabbi was the highest goal possible, and just to be a disciple of a famous rabbi was an honor. Dr. Lois Tverberg shares great insights on the meaning of discipleship and a disciple based on their meaning in Jesus' Jewish culture.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 26:31-35 NLT — "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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