This week in my New Testament class we read and discussed Christ's judgement and trial before His death. There are many events that go on in the few hours and days leading during His trial. In John 18 we read about Peter's "ultimate wake-up call". This describes Peter denying Christ 3 times. He is very surprised when Christ testifies of him denying Jesus three times before the cock crows. Peter, at that time, does not believe that this will happen because, well, how could it?! He was Christ's right-hand-man, His beloved friend, Christ was His mentor and teacher and someone whom he loved. However, we all know that while Christ is being tried, there are indeed three different individuals who come up to Peter and accuse him or ask him about being associated with Christ. Peter, most likely out of fear for his own life, denies these claims and questions one by one, without even realizing that he is fulfilling the prophesy which Christ gave only moments before.

How often do we portray Peter in this act as to avoid the pain or guilt that comes with sin or the humiliation that comes with defending our beliefs in front of our friends? I never want to be the one to deny Christ because I know He lives. I don't believe I have ever done this intentionally, however sometimes without even knowing it, we remove His name from our heart for a moment and ultimately deny the testimony we have of him. 

Luckily, repentance is a huge part of the gospel and we are able to be redeemed from these moments by a loving and kind Savior. He love us so much and was willing to pay the price for us to have happiness and to overcome difficulties in our lives.

Last week in class we discussed the significance and importance of the Gift of The Holy Ghost. We learn in John chapter 15 verse 26 that The Spirit's role is to testify of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. "But when the comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." We also learn from this scripture that the Holy Ghost not only gives a testimony of the two but he also acts as a comforter. Reflecting on the tragic event that has happened at BYU today, I can't help but express the importance of the gift of the comforter that Christ left with us as he descended back to the Father. Imagine that, we have a member of the actual Godhead with us as a constant companionship and guide during times of trial. Through Christ's atoning power, The Spirit may lift and comfort us when we feel hopeless or in deep despair. With all of the many challenging and chaotic things going on in our world today, The Spirit is something so contrasting in nature. He is peaceful and quiet. In John 16:33 Christ says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Through Christ's love and sacrifice on our behalf, we need never to feel that there is no hope left, or that we have hit rock bottom and there is no where to turn. Christ gave us His spirit in hopes that during these trying times we might look to Him and live. No matter how difficult life can be at times, there is truly nothing we cannot overcome through Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and Redeemer.