He Denied Jesus...Do You?

Dante Autullo thought he'd merely cut himself while building a shed. It wasn't until he was taken to the hospital the next day that he realized that he'd accidentally shot himself in the skull with a nail gun, according to the Associated Press.

"When they brought in the picture, I said to the doctor `Is this a joke? Did you get that out of the doctors joke file?'" the 32-year-old recalled. "The doctor said 'No man, that's in your head.'''

The X-ray revealed that the shot was just millimeters away from the section of the brain that controls the motor functions, according to Fox News.
-Huffington Post, January 21, 2012

Denial. We've all been there. Among the things Jesus suffered, was the indignity of Peter's denial. Three times, with increasing intensity, Peter denied knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). Peter denied knowing Jesus, despite being with Jesus:

1) From the beginning of His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:17-19)
2) At the healing of his own mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15)
3) On the Sea of Galilee, walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33)
4) On the mount, seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-13)

How did Peter come to deny his Lord and Savior? What forces were at work, that led to his cowardly deed? Might they be forces we face today, encouraging us to do the same?

From Peter's denial of Jesus there are important lessons to be learned. Indeed, Peter himself can help us to avoid making the mistakes he made when he writes as one who knows the dangers before us.

For example, Peter was betrayed by pride. He boasted he would never deny Jesus, proudly proclaiming that even if all left Jesus, not him! (Matthew 26:31-33). In so doing, Peter took the first step in falling away (Proverbs 16:18). We can also be overconfident in our service to God (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12).

Peter later commanded humility. He commanded us to be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5); and to humble ourselves before God (1 Peter 5:6). Peter learned the hard way about the danger of pride. Will we learn from the mistake of Peter, and value the importance of humility? Next, notice that...

Peter was besieged by laziness. He kept falling asleep at a time when he needed to be watchful (Matthew 26:36-46). His laziness therefore led to lack of preparation. The same thing can happen to us! Without diligent preparation, we too can be unprepared (cf. Luke 21:34-36). More often than not, we gradually "drift away" because we are too lazy to "give the more earnest heed" (cf. Hebrews 2:1-3).

Of course, later Peter commanded diligence. He commanded vigilant resistance against the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9); and called for diligence that we might: grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 1:5,10); and be found in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:14)

Do we allow simple laziness to keep us from careful preparation? Do we fail to attend services, study God's Word, or even pray, because of laziness? If so, how can we hope to stand up for Jesus when put to the test? As we continue, we observe that...

Peter was beset by cowardice. He followed Jesus at a distance. Oh, Peter still followed Jesus (Matthew 26:58). But now that Jesus was unpopular he stays far enough away so not to be identified with Him. He was unprepared to face the challenge of ridicule and persecution.

Might we be guilty of trying to follow Jesus, but with cowardice? Are we ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible? Ashamed to be giving thanks? Ashamed to be seen with other Christians?

Peter later urged glorifying God. In other words, charging us not to be ashamed, but to glorify God (1 Peter 4:16). Thinking not of what things mean to us, but what they mean to God! (cf. Matthew 5:16). With cowardice keeping him at a distance from his Lord, Peter was a prime candidate for succumbing to what came next...worldliness!

Peter was beleaguered by worldliness. He was influenced by the world by sitting with the servants of the High Priest, and warming himself by their fire (Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54). Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it was easy to mingle with those of the world and enjoy their comforts. But one cannot be "comforted by the fire" of the world, and not be "burned"! (Proverbs 6:27-29; 1 Corinthians 1:33)

Peter later called for us to be other-worldly. To live as sojourners and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11-12). To look for that new heavens and new earth, being diligent to be found by Christ in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).

In conclusion, when Peter concluded his second epistle, he did so with a warning. He warned us to: beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness (2 Peter 3:17); and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

These warnings came from someone who was well qualified to speak. For he knew how easy it was to fall through such things as:

1) Pride
2) Laziness
3) Cowardice
4) Worldliness

But he also knew how to grow in grace through such things as:

1) Humility
2) Diligence
3) Glorifying God
4) Living as strangers and sojourners

Yes, we know that Peter, though he denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly, received grace when forgiven by Jesus and permitted to fulfill his role as an apostle (cf. John 21:15-17).

If we have been guilty of letting our Lord down, look to Him for the grace to repent and grow that only He can give!

Prayer:

Lord, may You never be ashamed of me. Amen

May God bless you,

Mackenzie