Reading: Matthew 25-26
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly (Matt. 26:69-75).
It had been a long and confusing night, and Christ’s disciples were physically and emotionally exhausted. Even though Jesus had taken great care to prepare them for what was about to happen, it appears by their reactions that they were still blindsided by the events of the night (Matt. 26:56). Just a handful of hours earlier, Peter had stood before His Lord, and Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee. Likewise also said all the disciples (26:35). Peter had spoken these words with confidence, filled with the belief that there could never be any circumstance that would lead him to deny His beloved Master. Following Jesus' arrest, though, it all fell apart.
Alone, fearful, and desperate for news, Peter followed his Master at a distance and attempted to blend in with the high priest's servants (Luke 22:54). When he was recognized as a companion of Jesus, his fear overwhelmed him, and his inner strength failed. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Three times he was asked, and three times he denied Him, growing ever angrier with each ‘accusation’ until finally, then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Peter wept bitterly, not out of fear or despair but in godly sorrow. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (II Cor. 7:10). His personal strength and emotional attachment to Jesus had not been enough to win out against his innate human cowardice. As his tears fell, he realized his trust (in himself) had been misplaced. The only strength he could depend on was that which the Lord provided.
How many of us, like Peter, have viewed the world around us through the lenses of our personal strength and devotion? How often have we thought, “I love God enough to…” In reality, our love is imperfect and fallible. Only by accepting God’s love for us and allowing it to work through us will we be able to stand with grace under pressure.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (I Pet. 5:10).
Thought for Today: To allow fear to push our faith from our minds is akin to tossing away the flashlight before running headlong into darkness.
Cross Reference: For Matt. 26:31: See Zech. 13:7. Matt. 26:64: See Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13.
Word Studies: 25:27 exchangers = moneylenders; usury = interest on money loaned; 26:15 covenanted = established an agreement; 26:47 staves = clubs; 26:63 I adjure Thee = I charge You under oath before God.
Prayer for Staff:Jennifer Palafox • Government Officials: Sen. Patty Murray (WA), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN) • Country: Czech Republic (10,627,448) Central Europe • Major Language: Czech • Religious Freedom • 10.4% Roman Catholic; 1.1% Protestant; 54% Other/Unspecified; 34.5% None • Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord in adversity, for He will hear (Ps. 116:1-4,8).