LORD’S DAY MORNING, MARCH 25
Luke 22:54-62
Psalm 51:1-6

“Have mercy upon me, O God,
…blot out my transgressions.”

THE DENIAL

Earlier, Peter was so courageous, even ready to fight for Christ, but afterwards he distanced himself from Jesus. He followed his Lord from afar. He failed to keep his promise of going with his Master even to prison. It was a sign of Peter’s spiritual frailty, his fear of the Jews was greater than his faith.

Keeping his distance brought him into the company of the high priest’s servants. He should have been with his Master. He sat down with the enemies of his Lord. His compromising association led to his denial of his Lord three times before the cock crew. Cock-crow is the Jewish timing of the third watch of the night from twelve midnight to three am. Peter denied that Jesus was his master. The first denial, “I know him not” was a negation of his knowledge of Christ or of having any acquaintance with him. Did he not say he would die with Him, rather than deny Him? The second time Peter said, “I am not” he denied that Christ was his master or that he was a disciple of His. The third time he said, “Man, I know not
what thou sayest,” suggests that he denied knowing anything, or at least could not understand what was said as if he had not even heard of the name of Jesus and was a total stranger to him.

Peter did not remain close to Jesus. When a Christian walks away from his God, he is actually in the company of the devil, and he becomes vulnerable to the devil’s traps. No one can be in a neutral position, he is either with God or with the devil.

The Lord from a distance fixed His eyes on Peter and immediately he was convicted. A true believer’s heart melts on seeing his Lord. Peter immediately repented and wept bitterly. David prayed, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Ps 51:1).

THOUGHT: Am I seeking God’s help not to deny Him as my Lord?
PRAYER: Father, may I not succumb to the wiles of the Devil to deny my Lord!