The Denial
Written by: Danielle A.
Matthew 26:31-35 and 69-75
Many Christians are familiar with the story of Peter’s denial. Dedicated to serving Jesus and His ministry for years, Peter could not imagine a day when he would ever deny knowing Jesus. The night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter was willing and ready to fight anyone who would try to come against Jesus. So, what changed between the night in the garden where Peter declared that he would never desert Jesus and the following day in the courtyard where he swore he never even met Him? Peter lost his faith and let fear take root.
Imagine what it must have been like for Peter. While Jesus warned His friends and disciples that He must die, Peter likely did not imagine it would be in the way that God had planned. All his friends had left. Peter was the only one who actually stuck around to see Jesus’ trial in the courtyard. He was the only one left and couldn’t have imagined the fate the Son of God was about to suffer. Even though Jesus told Peter that He would die and rise 3 days later, Peter was lost in his feelings and confusion. He was fearful of what was happening and what might happen to him if anyone knew he had been one of Jesus’ closest followers.
2 Timothy 1:7 says that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-disciple.” Fear is a tactic of the enemy. It throws us off our goal and mission. Peter lost sight of Jesus’ word because fear crept in and clouded his thoughts and actions. Our actions should be rooted in the faith and trust we have in Jesus. Psalm 28:7 says “the Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
The good news is this is not the end of the story for Peter. He immediately repents. Right after his third denial Peter went away “weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:75). After Jesus’ resurrection, He appears to Peter and confirms His love and forgiveness for him (John 21). Peter goes on to live his life dedicated to spreading the Gospel and building the church.
Even if we have moments of doubt or fear we are never too far away from our purpose and God’s will. Even a man like Peter who walked alongside Jesus for years had a moment of doubt and fear. Just like us, Peter was not perfect, but he had a heart for Jesus and in the moments right after his fear took control he showed immediate repentance. In the same way, we may have moments of weakness, but when our hearts are aligned to Jesus and His will, the Holy Spirit will instantly correct and it is in those moments that we can seek repentance.
Many Christians are familiar with the story of Peter’s denial. Dedicated to serving Jesus and His ministry for years, Peter could not imagine a day when he would ever deny knowing Jesus. The night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter was willing and ready to fight anyone who would try to come against Jesus. So, what changed between the night in the garden where Peter declared that he would never desert Jesus and the following day in the courtyard where he swore he never even met Him? Peter lost his faith and let fear take root.
Imagine what it must have been like for Peter. While Jesus warned His friends and disciples that He must die, Peter likely did not imagine it would be in the way that God had planned. All his friends had left. Peter was the only one who actually stuck around to see Jesus’ trial in the courtyard. He was the only one left and couldn’t have imagined the fate the Son of God was about to suffer. Even though Jesus told Peter that He would die and rise 3 days later, Peter was lost in his feelings and confusion. He was fearful of what was happening and what might happen to him if anyone knew he had been one of Jesus’ closest followers.
2 Timothy 1:7 says that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-disciple.” Fear is a tactic of the enemy. It throws us off our goal and mission. Peter lost sight of Jesus’ word because fear crept in and clouded his thoughts and actions. Our actions should be rooted in the faith and trust we have in Jesus. Psalm 28:7 says “the Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
The good news is this is not the end of the story for Peter. He immediately repents. Right after his third denial Peter went away “weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:75). After Jesus’ resurrection, He appears to Peter and confirms His love and forgiveness for him (John 21). Peter goes on to live his life dedicated to spreading the Gospel and building the church.
Even if we have moments of doubt or fear we are never too far away from our purpose and God’s will. Even a man like Peter who walked alongside Jesus for years had a moment of doubt and fear. Just like us, Peter was not perfect, but he had a heart for Jesus and in the moments right after his fear took control he showed immediate repentance. In the same way, we may have moments of weakness, but when our hearts are aligned to Jesus and His will, the Holy Spirit will instantly correct and it is in those moments that we can seek repentance.
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