| Lesson 41: The Law Of The Old That Is Covered In The New Testament: The Denial 3/4/2014 by turtle Matthew 26:69-75 KJV (69) Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. (70) But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. (71) 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. (72) And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. (73) 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. (74) Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (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. One of the hardest things not to do is deny the truth when fast in a situation such as Peter. Peter was scared out of his mind, knowing Jesus was getting railroaded by the government and by the religious leaders. No doubt as he stood by and watched he wonder what He could do to stop it, yet Christ had already rebuked him when he cut off the soldiers ear in the Garden of Gethsemane. No one wants to think of ever denying Christ. The problem occurs when human instincts take control in a situation. I do not doubt Peter’s denial was not far from truth. He walked with Jesus seen miracles and yet he finds himself watching his best friend going to trial. A trial of lies and false accusations against Jesus. All in disbelief it could happen to a nice man as Jesus was. To think what must have been going through Peter’s mind, Peter could almost say maybe in truth I really do not know Jesus. Maybe in truth He could say I do not know Him, but I thought I did. Yet the damsel came seeing Peter and said you were with Jesus, and Peter denied knowing Jesus. Jesus had said at the passover feast he would deny Jesus. Peter had said no Lord I will not deny you. And Jesus said yes you will. If nothing more but a warning, was to allow Peter to know Jesus understood, knew the truth of situation to come. The shock of them taking Jesus was enough to cause fear. People do crazy things out of fear. They run until they can run no more. They hide behind closed doors. They loose a since of reality with fear. The disciples would congregate in the upper room for three days until the resurrection of Christ. It was enough to upset anyone. It was enough for confusion to set in. Yet what I have failed to say is it brought Peter to His knees because he swore an oath and broke God’s law that He never knew Jesus. If he been in a court of law he would of purged himself before the jury out of fear. Yet it was something only between His Lord and him. He had the comfort of knowing Jesus said he would but it still did not control the tears. It only gave way to more tears as he repented of his sin. Heartbreak he must of felt knowing the mistake done. Nothing would of changed a thing. His Lord was gone. Up from the grave Jesus arose, and new hope sprung in the disciples. Peter denial covered by repentance, Peter walking and talking with Jesus once again. Do not let a bad oath keep you from your walk with Jesus. Repent and rise up by the power of Jesus who takes away all sin even oaths inside and outside the court room that are false. Man’s word in a court room is no longer any good. It is your choice to repent of broken promises, but I suggest you get busy. Because we all swear to be telling the truth only to remember later the reality of the situation. It like the man hunting his briefcase saying to his wife what did you do with it, only to remember it still sitting beside the desk at the office. Peter at least with His oath did not go blaming someone else, but his oath of denial was three times. He did it more then once. Dear Heavenly Father help us to always tell the truth even in difficult times, yet you knowing when and if we will sin, that you warn us of sin to come, and all we need to do is repent. In Jesus precious name, Amen. http://www.turtle30cshell.com _ |
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