Chapter 29
The Third Denial
(Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly, Matthew 26:75)
Have you ever hurt someone that you have loved in your life?
Have you ever betrayed another’s confidence so badly that the hurt your actions
caused still lingers on even until today? And might have you wept and
perhaps continue to weep bitterly over those selfish acts of miscue even unto
the current moments of your life? The apostle Peter did in the Bible.
Yes, the one who walked on water. Yes, the disciple that the Lord Jesus called
the "Rock". And yes, the one who said he would "never
deny" the Lord right to his face even while they breaking bread with
one another, suffered from this case called selective amnesia. Now, I
know life can get busy sometimes. People come and go in our lives on a daily
basis that it can seem routine not to remember that we have crossed paths at
times. I mean the busyness of the moment can lead us to be absent minded with a
legitimate excuse. Sure, we can forget our cell phones, car keys, laptops in
times of pressure, deadlines and morning meetings. We can forget our children's
names, baseball games, and college orientation days if we are not careful with
all that is going on around us in this crazy world and schedules. Yes, all
these events if sometimes misplaced or even forgotten can be with a merciful
and forgiving heart looked past by the loved ones in our life. Or at least we
could hope they would be. But how would you feel if someone that you spent
three years of your life with sharing memories daily told you one day in
front of a large crowd of strangers that they never ever met you before? That
they didn't even know your name, and they denied you and your existence ever
appeared in their life. Now, let us understand something here my friends. Jesus
Christ is being put on trial here at the time of Peter's absentmindedness’s.
The Lord is being passed around like a loaf of unwanted bread because some
indecisive Roman law makers cannot make their minds up on what to do with Him.
Sure the crowd outside the mock trial was a little more than fancy. I am
sure that there were mixed feelings being bounced about through the immediate
area. Emotions from anger, fear, concern probably lingered and reared
their ugly heads through out the vicinity. I think most of us can come to an
agreement on that humble analysis. So it must have been a scary and very
intense situation for anyone to witness. Let alone the chosen twelve that were
hand picked by Jesus to be near to. I mean let us give Peter some credit here.
Why? You may ask. Just bare with me, and give me a little slack while I try and
make my case here. The Disciple Peter was the one who got out of the boat and
walked on water. And even though the Bible states that he began to sink on his
way to Jesus. He is still the only one who has the relationship with the Lord
who has the courage and trust to attempt this great feat while the other eleven
stood back and watched. We read in the Bible that it was Peter and another
disciple who followed Jesus " from a distance" that night as
the Lord was being lead to be persecuted. Let me ask you humbly my friends.
Where were the other ten? Now after careful consideration I have come to
an understanding that it was a good thing that they did not follow Peter
and his comrade. Mainly because they probably would of been killed also like
Jesus. God needed these chosen men to further his kingdom. And from reading the
scriptures it probably would have even been easier for the Devil and his
henchmen to attempt to wipe out the entire Christ movement before it
was to take full force. So, I understand why the Lord kept them away. I
also understand now why Peter denied. Peter had done great things with
Jesus before this great moment of lapse of memory was to occur. As we read
before in this chapter. But, Peter I believed suffered mainly from a disease
called pride. His intentions most of the time although meant for good fell
short of their desired goals. Mainly because Peter at the time was a so called
glorystealer. How many times do we read in the scriptures of the chosen twelve
fighting with one another on who is greater? Peter himself states clearly that
Jesus is the chosen one, the Messiah. Sure we read that in the Bible. And we
know that revelation was also revealed to him by God alone because Jesus states
so. I can see Peter standing up in front of the other eleven pleading his
case and stating. "Who is the one who walked on water? Who was the
one that verbalized the profession that Jesus said He will build his church
upon? Who is called the Rock by the Messiah? I am, I am! Well now the
great Peter I am talking about is also the one to deny his best friend in
public. Mainly, I have to come to this
conclusion to save his own life. You know it reads in the scriptures that
after Peter's last denial of knowing his friend Jesus the two's eyes meet.
Can you imagine the pain that this brief but powerful encounter allowed. We
read that Peter wept bitterly afterward. I can only imagine what the Lord felt
in his heart. All the lashings, all the punches and insults, all the pain of
those nails in his hands and feet, well they couldn't have added up to the
horror of the truth of being denied and betrayed by someone that he loved. Let
me ask you something today my friends. Have you been betrayed by someone that
you love? Has someone ever denied knowing you? Maybe it is a parent who
has given up on you because of all your mistakes and bad choices? Maybe it is a
spouse who you have children with who never calls you anymore because you are
divorced or separated? Or maybe you have a best friend who doesn't come around
anymore because their life and situation has changed. And you know longer fit
in their plans and scheme of their existence? If you are one of these
people, let me share with you a little secret today. Someone knows what
you are going through. He has been there himself. He gave up his life for you
and thinks you are the greatest thing in the world. His name is Jesus Christ
and he wants to be your savior. Not tomorrow, not ten years from now, He wants
to be your Savior today! He doesn't care that you have denied knowing him
most of your life, whether it has been three times or three million
times. The Lord wants to start a new friendship and relationship today. He
loves you and wants to display that love to you in a caring and loving way. You
know you might be weeping today, but Jesus wants to dry your tears. And become
the Lord of your heart and life. Let him clear the slate for you my friends!
You know after all that was said and done the truth is Jesus and Peter's
relationship was restored. The funny thing about this was the Lord went to
Peter to reconcile the hurt and their relationship. Even though that it
was Jesus who was the one being hurt and denied. And from that moment
of reconciliation on there was no greater disciple who did more for God's
movement and kingdom in the Holy Bible than the Apostle Peter. Let me ask you
my friends. Is God calling to you today to start anew? Are you listening?
If you are reading this chapter right now, could it be that Jesus is asking you
what he means to your life? Don't deny Him anymore my friends! Please
don't deny his free gift of salvation. I wish you God's love on your journey
with the Lord. Praise the Lord Jesus for the revelations He truly gives us.
Today and always. For His Glory. Love Al