April 13-14 - Denial

“This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, He answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”…John 21:14-16 Berean Study Bible ·

A young man, I'll call him Lew, and his friends, all in their early twenties, were in Chicago some years back on a day when Martin Luther King had organised a Freedom march scheduled to go through a blue-collar area of the city – a neighbourhood called Cicero.

Agreeing 100% with Doctor King's mission the friends said, "Absolutely, I'm in!" They all crowded into a high school gymnasium to listen to an amazing motivating speech. With a swell of pride they looked forward to participating in the march the next day.

That night Lew had a reality check. They were gathered into a room and told what to expect if they made the decision to march. Violence was anticipated. Threats had been made and were considered dead serious. It was expected that bricks and other missiles would be thrown at them; previous marchers had landed in hospital and death was not out of the question. Did they still want to join the march?

Lew tossed and turned that night in bed. How committed was he really? Was he willing to die in a strange city and neighborhood for a cause not his own? Lew was no longer sure. Lew learned a lot about himself that week. He learned that courage flows out of a heart that has made up its mind in advance of a challenge to it. He learned that it's easier to talk the talk than walk the walk. It humbled him. He no longer took courage for granted. (Hannah's Cupboard)

How like Peter and the other disciples this was, and so like us. O yes, it's easy to swear our love, commitment and loyalty to God, but when the chips are down and we have to put our words into action - step up to the plate, or are there embarrased silences, or words of denial coming from our mouths?

The time had come. The so called 'trial' was in progress. The crowds who were in Jerusalem for the Passover, and had lined the roads waving palm leaves, throwing them in His path, crying Hosanna....”They took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!" - John 12:13 now denied Him, calling instead for the release of Barabas – Barabas, a murderer, in exchange for the life of the Son of God, the Messiah.

Herod washed his hands in denial of Him. The disciples in denial ran away, and now Peter, the one who had sworn allegiance, even unto death denied his Friend, his Lord.

Fear drives us to do things we never thought we would do. Peter feared the suffering and ridicule that might come with being associated with Jesus. If we’re honest with ourselves, we often fear the same thing. We become afraid of what others may think or say about us, so we keep quiet when friends make fun of Christians. We fear our association with Jesus might cost us a promotion at work, so we stay silent about our faith in the office.

Peter was sincere when he said to Jesus, Lord, I know where you're going--you're going to die, and I'll lay down my life with you. And Jesus understood that. He said, Peter, thank you. But before the morning breaks, you will have denied me three times.

Over the time spent with Jesus, Peter's manner of speech would have changed from the rough languaged fisherman of the past, and it was this that identified him as one of Jesus's disciples. Immediately Peter reverted to his past crudeness and began to swear to add emphasis to his denial that he was one of Christ's group. Do we do this? Does our courage desert us after all the promises we have made to the Lord? When confronted do we squirm and become embarassed – not for us you understand, but out of concern for the person's feelings speaking to us? Or so we like to believe.

Judas betrayed Jesus; Peter denied his Lord. What is the difference between these two men? What is the difference between betrayal and denial?

Jesus had already explained this. He said Peter had already been bathed and needed to wash only his feet. Judas had never been bathed and had never opened his life to Jesus. Peter had dirty feet but a clean heart; Judas had an evil heart of unbelief, though perhaps an outward walk of apparent morality. And that is the sort of person who will betray Jesus. Both Judas and Peter knew if they repented the Lord would welcome them with open arms – arms that on the Friday would open to be nailed to the cross, welcoming the whole world to “Come unto me....” Matthew 11:28.

Jesus calls us back as well. His invitation may come through promises in the Bible, a prayer answered or a phone call from a friend. Jesus always welcomes us back, no matter how far away from Him we walk. Are you denying knowing Jesus in any area of your life? What’s one fear that might be driving your denial? Can you remember a failure that was so dramatic and so tearful for you that you hardly need to be reminded of the feelings? As dark and as deep and as tragic as your failure may be, He is willing to go to the depths of it with you. As Betsie ten Boom writes, “There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still.”

Look back at Luke 22. After the surprising warning of Satan’s attack, Jesus gave Peter a statement of fact: “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” Then there was a veiled reassurance: “And you, when once you have turned again . . .” Then a final command: “Strengthen your brothers” (22:32).

How did Jesus prove that love and forgiveness for Peter, and for us? Mark 16:6-7 answers that question. After the Resurrection, while the women were standing at the tomb, an angel told them:

“Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter.” (emphasis added)

Isn’t that great? “Don’t forget Peter, (and you and me). He’s the last one who thinks that I’ll ever want to talk to him again. Tell Peter!” What Amazing Grace!

That is the title of the music for today, “Amazing Grace.” Click on the picture to listen.