078. LUK 22:56-60. PETER’S DENIAL OF CHRIST

Luk_22:56-60. Peter’s Denial of Christ

"And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sat down together, Peter sat down among them," &c.’97Luk_22:56-60.

In this affecting narrative we have a striking representation of the weakness of human nature, and a powerful admonition to all the followers of Jesus, to "watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation." Let us notice.

I. The Ingredients of which Peter’s sin was composed.

We observe in Peter’s sin,

1. Unfaithfulness.

He professed to be Christ’s disciple and witness; yet when an opportunity occurred of testifying of him and for him, he was silent. He professed to be Christ’s friend; yet when Jesus stood in special need of his sympathy, he ceased to acknowledge him, or to be seen with him. In Peters sin there was,

2. Falsehood.

He said that "he knew him not." And this falsehood was repeated again and again, and every time with increased virulence of feeling, and violence of manner. In Peter’s sin there were,

3. Perjury and imprecation.

He confirmed his falsehood with oaths. Gave the most solemn form of speech to what was untrue, called Jehovah to witness to a lie, and also imprecated God’s curse upon himself if he knew any thing of the man; Mat_26:74. Let us consider,

II. The Aggravations and Extenuations of Peter’s sin.

1. The aggravations of Peter’s sin.

It was aggravated,

(1) By Peter’s intimate relationship to Christ. He was one of Christ’s most intimate disciples had been highly favored and distinguished by Christ, together with James and John above the rest. Had been with Christ on the holy mountains’97had seen his miracles’97walked with him on the sea, &c. It was aggravated,

(2) By Peter’s noble profession of Christ. When Jesus inquired of his disciples, "Whom do ye say that I am?" Peter replied, "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God!"

(3) By the warning Christ had given aim. He had recently avowed his readiness to go with him to death, and although all men forsook him, he would not. Christ then gave him an explicit and faithful warning, see Mat_26:31, Mat_26:35.

It was aggravated,

(4) By the company before whom he denied him. He was not before the rulers or judges called upon to give evidence at the hazard of his life. But it was in the presence of a few servants, at the interrogation of a simple girl, a servant maid, "who, looking upon him, said, This man was also with him." It was aggravated,

(5) By the circumstances and time when he denied him. It was when Chris was in the hands of his violent adversaries when Christ was heavily laden with anguish and sorrow; after he had arisen from the excruciating agonies of the bloody sweat in Gethsemane, and when the hour had arrived that he should lay down his life for the world. Let us notice,

2. The extenuations of Peter’s sin.

(1) It was sudden, and not premeditated. It had not been deceitfully and deliberately planned. A few hours before, his resolutions and designs were of the most opposite character.

(2) It was of short continuance. He did not remain in his sin, did not continue to sink deeper in crime, and wander further from the path of duty. When the surprise of the temptation was over, he felt his criminality, and fled from the path of error. Mark, moreover,

(3) It was never repeated. It was one act of unfaithfulness, and was never rendered more enormous by repetition. Let us,

III. Ascertain the leading Causes of Peter’s sin.

1. Presumption and self-confidence.

He evidently gave himself credit for more courage and strength than what he possessed. He was certain, whoever else might fail, that he would go with him to prison and to death. He displayed this, too, when he drew his sword in the garden.

2. Inattention and watchfulness.

Christ’s caution seems to have been entirely in vain. With the warning ringing in his ears, he fulfils the crime predicted, and against which he was cautioned. The beacon was erected, but he closed his eyes, and split upon the rock it pointed out.

3. Neglect of prayer.

Christ had urged this exercise upon them (ver. 40) in the same discourse, in which he had warned Peter, but we have no evidence that he regarded it. Doubtless he imagined that he had strength enough, until he found that he had none.

4. Direct imprudence.

He unnecessarily mixed with the enemies of Christ, sat among them, heard their conversation, &c., when he ought either to have been close by the side of his Lord or in solitude, shedding tears of sympathy for his suffering Friend. He evidently placed himself on Satan’s ground, and gave him a direct opportunity of gaining an advantage over him. The last cause evidently was,

5. The fear of man.

He durst not encounter the wrath of those who hated Jesus and his cause. He feared those who could kill the body; and this fear so completely unmanned him, that he deserted, and disowned his knowledge of and connection with Christ.

Application

1. Learn the weakness of man in his best estate. 2. Man’s ignorance of his own infirmities. 3. The necessity of watchfulness, and entire dependence on Christ. 4. Our duty to those who may be overtaken in a fault, &c. Gal_6:1.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS