Matt 26:69-70
As I read this passage I thought “Oh c’mon Peter! A few minutes ago you were bragging to Jesus that you would stand with Him to the death, and now a little servant girl says “weren’t you with Jesus?” and you completely fail!”
But suddenly I remembered a day in my own life some 30 years ago. I had just become a Christian, and I was working really hard to stay away from my “old ways.” But on that day I was driving around, and decided to stop by the house of one of my previous ‘partners in crime”, Rick. It’s not like I wanted to go there, I just happened to be in the neighborhood, and I thought that since I was already there, it would be fine to just drop in and say “hi.” You know, see how things were going. Of course I hadn’t seen Rick for a few weeks (being all ‘saved’ now and everything), and of course he wondered where I had been. I’ll never forget his joking comment, “what’d you do, find Jesus!” The statement hit me like a brick. That was exactly what had happened, but the thought of admitting it terrified me. “Ha” I laughed, “no man, I’ve just been busy!” Whew. Close call. Who knows what those guys might’ve thought if I told them the truth!
Funny thing, that day. I thought I was just stopping by to say “hi”, but the next thing I knew it was 11 pm at night, and I was trashed. Wow, just like old times. But it wasn’t just like old times. I was different now. I was one of God’s kids; I had a new life in me, and that old life didn’t jive with my new life. At the end of the night I got out of there, and I remember the feelings I had. I felt just like Peter did that night in the courtyard. I felt like I had totally failed, I had let Jesus down.
Join us Sunday as we look at Matthew 26:69-75, Peter’s denial of Christ, and why it should matter to us.
Till the whole world hears...
Pastor Clay
