Cab We Deny Jesus like Peter?
Can we Deny Jesus like Peter?
Last week, we looked at Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Judas never believed and trusted in Jesus. In pretense, he was just carrying on just like many in the church today. We found this betrayal to coincide with the last supper or what we now celebrate as the church ordinance of Holy Communion. Jesus broke bread and gave to his disciples and poured wine and drank with them. These were symbols of what Christ has done on the cross for us. His body was broken for us and His blood was poured out for us once and forever for the cleansing of our sins. That is the good news of the gospel – forever forgiven and forever reconciled to God.
Right after the last supper, Jesus informs the disciples, not just Peter that they will all deny him. Peter is the one who spoke up and said, not me. Also, the other disciples said they will never deny Jesus. Are we like Peter, insisting and saying not me Lord?
In our flesh and natural strength, we can do nothing worthy for Christ. Like Peter, we get overwhelmed with fear and give in. Jesus said, “5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Are you insisting on living this new Christian life in your own strength? Sooner or later, we all fall flat on our faces and realize the extent of our poverty of morals and self-righteousness. Thank God, Jesus is alive and at the right hand of the Father praying and interceding for us. Have you come to the points of denial of Jesus lately? Take heart and listen to what Jesus said to Peter:
"]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-34.
May we use our recovery from moments of trials and denials to encourage others who may be failing. When Jesus has strengthened us, may we strengthen others. Let’s be very gracious to those who are failing in one way or the other and pray for them.
Matthew 26: 31-34: Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be [f]made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are [g]made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
Our faith in Christ will not fail as long as we trust and abide in Christ. Our faith in Christ is a gift from God. As long as we are His place of dwelling for the Holy Spirit of God, God cannot fail. May we abide through the abundance of His word in our hearts and our obedience to His voice that speaks constantly to us.
“14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14-17.
Remember, failing does not mean we are failures. Peter and the other disciples failed and denied Jesus at the moments of their greatest fears. We must turn back to Jesus like Peter. "75 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."
May we weep for our failings as we turn to Jesus who restores. See John 21 where Jesus restored Peter to wholeness. We thank God who loves us unconditionally. For us that believe and trust in Jesus, nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
Lord, may you continue to have your rightful presence in my life today and help me to live in obedience to your word. I cast all my fears to you and grant me your overcoming power today. Help me to be a witness to your good news of the gospel and through me, others may have the same hope and peace you have given me. May you strengthen and encourage the brother or sister who is failing right now and may bring restoration to him or her. Amen.
Last week, we looked at Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Judas never believed and trusted in Jesus. In pretense, he was just carrying on just like many in the church today. We found this betrayal to coincide with the last supper or what we now celebrate as the church ordinance of Holy Communion. Jesus broke bread and gave to his disciples and poured wine and drank with them. These were symbols of what Christ has done on the cross for us. His body was broken for us and His blood was poured out for us once and forever for the cleansing of our sins. That is the good news of the gospel – forever forgiven and forever reconciled to God.
Right after the last supper, Jesus informs the disciples, not just Peter that they will all deny him. Peter is the one who spoke up and said, not me. Also, the other disciples said they will never deny Jesus. Are we like Peter, insisting and saying not me Lord?
In our flesh and natural strength, we can do nothing worthy for Christ. Like Peter, we get overwhelmed with fear and give in. Jesus said, “5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Are you insisting on living this new Christian life in your own strength? Sooner or later, we all fall flat on our faces and realize the extent of our poverty of morals and self-righteousness. Thank God, Jesus is alive and at the right hand of the Father praying and interceding for us. Have you come to the points of denial of Jesus lately? Take heart and listen to what Jesus said to Peter:
"]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-34.
May we use our recovery from moments of trials and denials to encourage others who may be failing. When Jesus has strengthened us, may we strengthen others. Let’s be very gracious to those who are failing in one way or the other and pray for them.
Matthew 26: 31-34: Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be [f]made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are [g]made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
Our faith in Christ will not fail as long as we trust and abide in Christ. Our faith in Christ is a gift from God. As long as we are His place of dwelling for the Holy Spirit of God, God cannot fail. May we abide through the abundance of His word in our hearts and our obedience to His voice that speaks constantly to us.
“14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14-17.
Remember, failing does not mean we are failures. Peter and the other disciples failed and denied Jesus at the moments of their greatest fears. We must turn back to Jesus like Peter. "75 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."
May we weep for our failings as we turn to Jesus who restores. See John 21 where Jesus restored Peter to wholeness. We thank God who loves us unconditionally. For us that believe and trust in Jesus, nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
Lord, may you continue to have your rightful presence in my life today and help me to live in obedience to your word. I cast all my fears to you and grant me your overcoming power today. Help me to be a witness to your good news of the gospel and through me, others may have the same hope and peace you have given me. May you strengthen and encourage the brother or sister who is failing right now and may bring restoration to him or her. Amen.
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