Peter Denies Jesus

“Then He said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’”—Luke 22:34 (NKJV)

Much confusion and uncertainty surrounded Jesus’ arrest and trial. The disciples were no doubt frightened. Their world was taking on a dark dimension and their dreams were shattering before their eyes.

Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him three times before morning—or the time of crowing of the rooster, a sure sign of time to awaken. Peter thought he was on solid ground. He would never deny Christ.

Peter followed “at a distance,” as Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house. His determination failed him. If he admitted he knew Jesus and was His follower, would the same fate await Him as Christ was then enduring?

“I do not know Him!” If we consider to whom Peter denied Christ, the denial seems even more dastardly. First it was to a servant girl. And then to “another” and to a “man.” All of these were gathered around the courtyard fire trying to keep warm. They could have been “street people,” so far as we know. Certainly not those in high authority. Had Peter so soon forgotten that Christ predicted he would deny the Lord? It took the rooster’s crowing to awaken Peter to the magnitude of his denial. Then he went out and wept bitterly. He had failed his Lord at a most crucial time.

We are sometimes too judgmental of Peter’s denial without thinking how we, too, deny the Lord. Peter’s inconsistent faith was certainly evidenced by his denial. But there was hope for Peter. He “wept bitterly,” showing his sorrow for his action. Then later by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told Peter three times, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19). He was forgiven and restored. He had a job to do in the Lord’s kingdom. And Peter performed that assignment faithfully. Like Peter, we can repent and be restored for Christ’s purpose in our life.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, March 26, 2010

What Jesus Could Have Done, What He Did

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”—John 1: 1-5 (NKJV)

“Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me, nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.” –Luke 22:42. (NKJV)

‘Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.’ “ – John 17:1-5 (NKJV).

The very Son of God that spoke a word and the whole creation was formed took on human flesh and came to earth. Can I comprehend the magnitude of this truth?

Jesus could have avoided all the suffering of the last week of His life, the humiliation, the shame. What Jesus could have done was to “mount the wings of the morning” and return to His former position, glory and majesty in heaven. He did not have to endure the agony of the cross, the indignities it brought. What He could have done was not to enter the realm of finite time and be subject to limitations of flesh and blood. What He could have done was to avoid death.

Can we possibly know the extent of the Word’s power? The love that motivated Him to provide the sacrifice necessary to restore man to fellowship with God?

“Be still and know that I am God. It is He that has made us, and not we, ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Jesus could have chosen the easy way. He could have remained in His former glory. But “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” And in Him we see “the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” Jesus uttered these words in that pathos-filled prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He spoke the words in the past tense, as if the terrible suffering and death were completed, not yet to be borne in His flesh. Jesus’s purpose would be fulfilled. Let us think of what Jesus could have done—and what He did! Let His love, sacrifice, purpose and power permeate your thoughts. He glorified the Father—and us! Praise be to God!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, March 20, 2010