Peter was scared to death. Jesus had just been kissed by Judas and arrested. Quickly, Peter tried to save Jesus with his sword. He swung to kill but only an ear fell off. Jesus reattached it. Poor Peter, his hands were more ready than his heart. As the small army took Jesus away into the darkness of that awful night, Peter knew he would be next. It was just a matter of time. Disciples were disappearing into the shadows of the dark woods faster than black crows surprised out of a corn patch. Even Peter and John fled for the safety of the darkness. Peter remembered Jesus last words of warning: All who draw the sword will die by the sword!- Matthew 26:52. Jesus was saying that Peter would be killed. I drew the sword. I am going to be beheaded. I am next! Peter was scared. Yet Peter loved Jesus. To follow the mob would mean death if he were discovered. To flee now would be desertion at the very time Jesus needed someone the most. After a few moments, Peter and John decided to follow the mob at a distance to see what was about to happen to Jesus. Peter wanted to be faithful. After all, He had promised Jesus he would never desert Him: Mark 14:27 - Jesus said: You will all fall away, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. Peter declared in verse 29, Even if all fall away I will not. To which Jesus said in verse 30 - I tell you the truth, today yes tonight before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times. Verse 31 shows that Peter still insisted emphatically, Even if I have to die with you I will never disown you... So Peter must follow the mob. He had promised Jesus. John 18:16 says, But Peter had to wait outside at the door.... Waiting! Do you enjoy waiting? Obviously the door was shut. This small detail here in the Bible is very significant! Think about this: Could it be Gods will that the door was locked? Peter was safe on the outside. Had God in His mercy put a barrier between Peter and the environment, which if he went into it, would lead him to sin? When you find a solid obstacle in your path, you must pause and ask if the hand of God could have placed it there. The locked door could have been for Peters benefit. But Peter wanted in. He disregarded the shut door and knocked for entrance. The girl in charge kept it shut. But Peter wanted in. Peter waited and finally, John came back and John persuaded the girl to let Peter in. Lets talk about Peter the Chicken. Afraid. Once inside Peter pretended to be a bystander. He was a Christian in secret. A hypocrite. As he stood there, the Bible says that Peter was cold! The Christian who follows Jesus afar off will soon grow cold spiritually. Peter was a cold chicken. It was the coldest part of the night, just before the dawn. As he inched his way over to the fire to get warm, the light of the flames flickered on his face. Then one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus. she said. Suddenly all eyes came around and focused on Peter. He denied it. I dont know what you are talking about... Immediately the rooster crowed. (Mark 14:66-68) Peter lied. He was afraid to stand up for Jesus. He pretended to act like one of the mob of vigilantes. Peter stood with them - John 18:18. Stood among the crowd of Jesus enemies. He listened to their blasphemous talk about the Master. He did not speak up for Jesus. Peter sought to hide his light under a bushel. We must avoid the company of the ungodly. We must be very careful with whom we associate. Pick good company. Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. John was also there but he was not questioned because he did not try to hide his identity. Peter lied the second time, Woman, I do not know Him. How true it was that Peter did not know Jesus. Peter was a chicken. A coward. This is hard to imagine. If any of the other 11 disciples, who really knew Peter, had been surveyed and asked: If Peter ever fails where do you think his weakness is? None of them would have said he would fail through cowardice. He is no sissy. None would say Peter would chicken out. But he did! Do you see the danger here? We do not know our own weakness! Again a third time Peter was standing by the fire. One of the relatives of Malchus whose ear was cut off spotted Peter. I saw you when we arrested Jesus. You are indeed His disciple. In Mark 14:71, Peter began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, I dont know this man your are talking about. Peter flew into a rage. He let the curse words fly. When his tirade ended all was quiet there in that cold predawn moment. The silence was broken by the rooster. While the crowing of the rooster was still ringing in his ears, the Savior turned from the frowning judges and looked full upon His poor disciple. It was not a look of anger but of gentle sorrow and pity and love. Jesus did not condemn, but Jesus look said, I still love you. I will forgive you. Friend, if you have failed Jesus, do not feel forsaken or lost. Jesus still loves you. Jesus will still be your Savior. Confess your sins. Weep. Ask Jesus for a new heart. Remember Jesus loves you even while you are denying Him. He loves you today just like He loved poor Peter. Peter fell hard that day. But by Gods grace, he rose up. That same, kind, hand that saved Peter from drowning out there on the waters of the sea was once more stretched out to raise him when he fell in the darkness of the courtyard. Jesus saves even cold, lost chickens and He transforms them into warm saved saints. Give your life to Jesus today.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:29:27 +0000
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