DENYING JESUS?
Memorise: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. Psalms 1:1
Read: Luke 22:54-60, 54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the
high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the
hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and
earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou
art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently
affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a
Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And
immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 19:16-20:26, Proverbs
13:15-14:3
MESSAGE
The company you keep determines
who you are, what you do, and how you respond to situations in life. The story
was told of a sparrow that got trapped together with ravens that were caught
devouring a grain farmland. He pleaded with the farmer who owned the trap to
release him. “Why should I release you”, the farmer asked. “Because I am not a
raven but a sparrow that cannot devour your farm” the sparrow replied. “How
come you were caught with the ravens?”, “I was only trying to enjoy their
company” the raven replied. “So, you are being judged because of the company
you were in” the farmer concluded.
The story in our Bible reading of
today is pathetic. Many things could have been responsible for Peter’s denial
of Jesus, however, let us look at some probable factors. Firstly; the Bible
says when they brought Jesus into the high priest’s house; Peter followed Him,
but afar off. It is dangerous to follow Jesus afar off. Moreover, because it
was cold, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those that were enjoying
the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some so-called
believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of strange
men and women.
“Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the
way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”
Psalms 1:1
Peter, forgetting that he had the
identity of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the residents of Jerusalem and his
identity was found out. Many pretend as if they are not Christians, they easily
conform to the comfort zones of this world. Whereas, the Bible says:
“And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of
God.”
Romans 12:3
Peter did not notice that his
location was not good enough for him to maintain his obligation of discipleship
to Jesus Christ. And when he was confronted about being a disciple of Jesus, he
denied it to the point of swearing.
Beloved, let us learn from
Peter’s mistakes, following Jesus from afar off is very dangerous to our
spiritual life. We must not patronise spiritual unhealthy zones, no matter how
attractive the place may be. We will be judged by the company we keep.
Prayer Point
Father, please help me never to deny you however tough the trial may
be.
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