Peter's Four Denials

Peter’s Four Denials
 
Mark 14:29-31 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today – yes, tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
 
YOU are saying, “Peter didn’t deny Jesus four times.” And so it was as recorded in Mark 14:66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don't know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don't know this man you're talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
   Three times Peter violently denied his relationship with Jesus. Where is the fourth?
   Let’s consider Peter’s response to Jesus when Jesus said, “I tell you the truth…you yourself will disown me three times.”  What’s true when Jesus said, “I tell you the truth”? Of course, what he says is true.
   But Peter denied Jesus’ truth here. “I will never disown you.” Peter, my friend, arguing with the Truth is futile. Wouldn’t it have been better for you to go into prayer about what Jesus had said? Wouldn’t you want to find strength to get through the trial Jesus had prepared for you? Wouldn’t you pray for the Father to guard your heart amid the hurt that was about to afflict your soul? Should you have sought the Lord’s strength to endure the agony of denying your Lord?
   Peter, you strong, passionate man, did you not once confess, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Why were you so eager to argue with God’s Son? He’s your rabbi. You’ve seen him do miracles. You’ve been overwhelmed with his glory on the mount. You’ve heard him chastise the Pharisees for their unbelief. Peter! Wake up and gird your heart to trust the Lord will lead you through this very dark valley. He has told you the truth. Why, Peter, is your response to Jesus, “I don’t believe you.”
   Peter is the target here. But we have a tendency to forget all the others said the same. They all denied Jesus when they dismissed his truth. They denied him when they ran from the Garden. All but John denied Jesus when they remained hidden until the risen Lord encountered them in a locked room.
   The Lord had chosen Peter to be his leader for the gospel of salvation to reach the world. Peter had to encounter and endure the testing, so he would be willing to always say, “Yes, Lord.” when God pointed him to the severe trials of his gospel ministry.  
   In our daily walk, it’s very easy to deny Jesus when his truth does not seem to make sense to us. In humble submission, let’s always remember, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”