The apostle Peter is regarded as the great pillar of the Christian church. He is literally the Rock that Christ built His church on. In most every significant event in Christ’s ministry, Peter was there. When Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead, Peter was there. He was an eyewitness to the transfiguration on the Mount. He got to be the one who walked on water with Jesus. He got the inside scoop on Jesus’ life. Jesus trusted Him the most. However, there is one moment in history that was not the proudest in Peter’s life. During Jesus’ crucifixion, as He was being scourged, when He could have really used a trusted friend, Peter was sitting around a fire warming himself. Close enough to see and defend Jesus, yet not doing so. When trouble came for Jesus, His friends scattered.
The Bible tells us that Peter defiantly denied knowing Jesus, not just once, but THREE times. He had three chances to ascertain his loyalty, and he failed. Jesus was being condemned and Peter was warming himself around a fire where he felt comfortable and safe. You see, the people around the fire are the ones who hate Jesus. They’re the ones who were crying out, “CRUCIFY HIM!” Preacher Girl, be careful whose fire makes you feel comfortable, safe, and takes away fear. You might be warming yourself by the fire of those who oppose God.
Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The account in Luke 22:55-62 (TLV) tells us:
“Now they had lit a fire in the center of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter was sitting among them. Then a servant girl saw him sitting at the fire. She looked straight at him and said, ‘This one was with Him too!’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I don’t know Him!’ A little later, another saw him and said, ‘You too are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ And about an hour later, another began to insist, saying, ‘Certainly this fellow was with Him, for he too is a Galilean!’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And Peter went out and wept bitterly.”
The first person to accuse Peter of knowing Jesus was a servant girl, a commoner. The people who will point you out won’t be your Christian friends, it’ll be an unbeliever. They’ll see you losing your temper over something trivial and say, “Aren’t you supposed to be a Christian?” Peter denied that he knew Jesus. The second time, Peter was accused of being one of them who follow Jesus, to which Peter said no! When someone asks, “Are you really one of those Holy-Spirited filled church people?”, how will you answer? The third time, Peter was accused of sounding like Jesus (a Galilean). Peter could deny all he wanted, but his accent, the way he spoke gave him away. No matter where you are, the way you speak will give you away. We can’t help it; it’s ingrained in us. You might find yourself in a situation where you can’t help but call on the name of Jesus. What you say will identify you as one of them.
Today, God is asking Preacher Girl, if you’re warming yourself by the fires of the world? Are you one of them who say, “I don’t know Him, I don’t follow Him?” Today God is warning you, if you get around those people who make you want to deny Jesus, you’re with the wrong people – MOVE. And although Peter did the unthinkable, Jesus still used him. Even though Peter said he didn’t know Jesus three times, Jesus still knew him. Peter was STILL the rock Jesus would build His church on. Today, PG, declare that “Yes! I am one of them who believe!” Make your loyalty known because Jesus DEFINITELY knows you!
Comments