At the Last Supper there is the accusation from Jesus that one would betray him. All the disciples are asking, “Lord, is it me?”

I’ve found that odd at times. Don’t they know if they’ve done this or not? Judas had to have been a bit comforted that so many other guys were confessing to things they didn’t do! He could get off the hook!

But not Peter. No, sir. This man, this self-made man, wasn’t going to deny Jesus! No way! He was going to fight for Jesus if necessary. He’s a man’s man! No wimp. He was a Harley-ridin’ dude.

Jesus had to let Peter know that even Peter had to come to the end of his rope. There needed to be a time in Peter’s life when he just couldn’t pull himself up by his bootstraps. The shepherd would be struck down and the sheep would scatter.

The cross brings every one of us to our end. If it doesn’t, then we really haven’t come to the cross. We haven’t let the cross really work on us. The One who is the Rock must crush us. We can’t be bootstrap Christians. Not in the Kingdom of God.

This week must remind us of our end. Maybe this week should bring us to our end. Maybe we haven’t really come to our end yet, and this trip to Good Friday is necessary. We must know we are empty in and of ourselves and only Christ and his power can raise us back up. Christ in us is our only hope.

Come to the cross. Be reminded of its power.