[370 words]
Peter looked boldly into the eyes of the Lord and said without hesitation, “though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.” To which Jesus replied, “assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” But unwaveringly, Peter clove to his self-confidence and said, “though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you” (Matthew 26:33-35).
Soon after this conversation, Judas came with the multitude to betray Jesus. They took
Him away to be placed on trial for the crimes which He had not committed. He was found guilty and was sentenced to death. And as they began to mock and spit upon Jesus, Peter was following at a distance when he sat to warm himself by a fire. First, a servant girl saw him and said, “This man was also with Him,” to which he replied, “Woman, I do not know Him” (Luke 22: 56-5 7). “And after a little while another saw him and said, you also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not” (Luke 22:58). Finally, another said. ”Surely this fellow was also with Him,” but Peter said, “Man, I do nor know what you are saying!” And immediately, while he was speaking, the rooster crowed” (Luke 22:60). “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62).
No doubt any faithful Christian would hope they could look into Jesus’ eyes and say, “I would never deny you.” The truth is, while He is not physically here on earth, we have chances every day to stand with Him or to deny Him. When given an opportunity to share the gospel, do you declare as did Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” (Romans 1:16) or do you sound more like Peter and say, “I do not know Him?” Do not be fooled into complacency. With this denial, you crucify Christ again (Hebrews 6:6).
Darrell Powell
Walnut Street church of Christ
Greenville, AL