He essentially told them their loyalty would not last because it was built on the lie they told themselves-that they could do it- rather than on the truth of the resurrection promise. He told them they would not be able to endure what was about to happen that their frailty would lead to their failure. How did they completely miss what he said? My theory: They could not accept the truth he told them about themselves. They put their confidence in themselves and their own projected outcome. Jesus gives them the promise of an ultimate future. Each and every one of the disciples confused faith for positive thinking, and as a result, in the face of JesusвЂ™ challenge they doubled down on their self-confidence and completely missed HisВ promise. Note how #1 gets all the action and #2 doesnвЂ™t even get honorable mention in the conversation. вЂњBut after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.вЂќ I want you to notice how this dynamic distinction between faith and optimism work out in todayвЂ™s text. Faith, on the other hand, does not seek a particular outcome, but rather anchors all hope in God alone and the surety of His promises. Positive thinking ties our faith to some preconceived and hoped for outcome.

The critical distinction we must constantly make is the difference between positive thinking and faith. Positive thinking or optimism is powerful because it roots itself so deeply in the pride form of the human psyche.

It makes bold declarations and promises as though projecting the outcome will make it so. 27 вЂњYou will all fall away,вЂќ Jesus told them, вЂњfor it is written:Дў8 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.вЂќДў9 Peter declared, вЂњEven if all fall away, I will not.вЂќДЈ0 вЂњTruly I tell you,вЂќ Jesus answered, вЂњtoday-yes, tonight-before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.вЂќДЈ1 But Peter insisted emphatically, вЂњEven if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.вЂќ And all the others said the same.

Bible verses about optimism