Simon Peter - The Denial

Introduction

One of the saddest scenes in the entire Bible is Simon Peter's denial of Jesus. It is recorded in all four gospels. Let's look at the account in Matthew 26:69-75, "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went   out, and wept bitterly."

It's scary to realize how hard we human beings can fall, and from what heights. Bear in mind that Simon Peter was the one who, just a few months before, had boldly and confidently declared to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!" and Jesus had responded, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Jesus went on to say, "Upon this rock I will build my church." He was saying, "Peter, my church will  be made up of people who have the same kind of rock-like faith that you've demonstrated." Then Jesus said, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Jesus was saying, "Peter, to you and others like you, I am entrusting the spread of the gospel. The gospel is the key that will unlock the prison-house of sin and set people free."

But now, just prior to the crucifixion, as Jesus is being put through a mock trial, Peter denies that he is one of Jesus' followers. In fact, he curses and denies that he even knows Jesus. What a heart- breaking scenario.

But equally sad is the fact that today many who profess to know Christ deny him - not necessarily in the same way that Peter did, but deny him nonetheless. Regarding certain people in his own day who professed to be believers but didn't act like it, Paul wrote in Titus 1:16 (NIV), "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him...." In the lives of many who claim to be Christians, there is a tragic disconnect between profession and practice. Anytime a person blatantly disobeys one of Christ's clear-cut, foundational rules for living, that person has denied him.

Some deny him by failing to control their tongue, by using gutter language, or taking God's name in vain, or by lying, or by maliciously injuring others, even though Ephesians 4:29 says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth." Others deny him by engaging in sexual immorality, even though 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." There are some who deny him by neglecting the church, even though Ephesians 5:25 tells us that "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it," and Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we are not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is."

Still others deny Christ by harboring a bitter, cynical, unforgiving attitude, even though our Lord tells us to be kind and forgiving.

Some people deny Jesus because they never were saved. But, tragically, as in the case of Peter, it is also possible for a truly saved person to deny him. Whenever we who are born again deny Christ, it breaks God's heart, and it also brings sorrow into our lives, for Galatians 6:7 warns, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Further, when we deny Christ we deeply disappoint and cause to stumble others who have believed in us and looked to us for an example.

How does such a thing happen? How, for instance, could Simon Peter fall so far after having trodden such lofty spiritual heights? As we look closely at the Biblical record, we see three steps, three factors, that led up to Peter's denial. I pray that you and I will avoid those three things just like we would avoid a terrible disease. Here are the three things which preceded Simon Peter's denial:

I. Overconfidence

The night before the crucifixion, Jesus observed the very first Lord's Supper with his disciples. Then they went out into the Mount of Olives. In Matthew 26:31-35 we read, "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples."

Confidence of the right sort is a good thing but overconfidence in ourselves is a dangerous thing, because it amounts to pride and Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

In 1 Corinthians 10:12 we are warned, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." That doesn't mean that we're to go around "on edge," unsure of ourselves, with a poor self- image. God wants us to maintain a healthy, wholesome confidence, but he also wants us to remember that it is he who provides the power for us to have victory in the battles of life. He is to be the focus of our confidence.

Our attitude should be that of the author of the apostle Paul, who declared in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul was saying, "If it is within the will of God for my life, then the sky is the limit! I can do all of it but only because the Lord Jesus graciously enables me to do it! thus, to him belongs all the praise and all the glory!"

So that was Simon Peter's first mistake, he overestimated his own strength, and underestimated the devious devices of Satan. May the Lord deliver us from over confidence in ourselves. We need to remember the truth expressed in this chorus:

"Without him, I would be nothing; Without him I'd surely fail; Without him I would be drifting, Like a ship without a sail."

II. Failure To Watch And Pray

Now let's look at the second factor leading up to Simon Peter's denial. Let's begin reading where we left off earlier. Let's look at Matthew 26:36-41, "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called

Gethsemene, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Jesus came back twice, but each time they were asleep. They had failed to watch and pray and it wasn't long afterwards that Peter tragically denied his Lord. Throughout the New Testament we are warned of the danger of not maintaining a strong prayer life. In Luke 18:1 we read: "And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

I read years ago of a great military officer who was leading his men into battle. In order to reach the battlefield, they had to make their way up the side of a steep mountain. Right in the midst of that march a sudden storm arose. Fierce winds began to blow, and it looked as if those soldiers would be swept off their feet, which would have resulted in their tumbling down that mountain and incurring serious injury or even death. Their leader cried out, "To your knees, men; it's the only way!" and following his example, they all fell to their knees and made their way safely up that mountain.

Often you and I are pounded by the stormy winds of temptation. Sometimes we are tempted to compromise our convictions. Sometimes we want something so badly that we are tempted to trade our integrity for it. Sometimes we are tempted to go in a direction that we have even warned others against and when those pressures come, we need to remember the words of that military leader: "To your knees, it's the only way."

I'm convinced that one of the biggest challenges any Christian faces, in this day when most of us have so many "irons in the fire" is the challenge of maintaining a consistent, meaningful devotional life, a regular time of fellowshipping with God through private prayer and Bible study. The devil will throw a thousand obstacles in our path. He'll cause us to conjure up a myriad of excuses because he knows that if he can keep us from prayer and Bible study, we're going to be spiritually weak and vulnerable.

Jean-Paul Sarte, a prominent philosopher of the 20th century, at one time had claimed to be a believer, but eventually declared himself an atheist. In one of his books he told of that period of transition. He said, "I maintained public relations with the Almighty, but privately I ceased to associate with him." That statement points to a danger that we all face, not that we're likely to declare   ourselves atheists, but there is the sobering possibility of our faith becoming so puny, due to the lack of a meaningful private devotional life, that we become easy targets for Satan. It becomes easy for him to sow seeds of doubt in our minds and hearts, and to bring us down.

Some folks have done a number on themselves, and have decided that they simply are too busy, too involved in too many things, to have a real, quality daily devotional life. Well, if you're too busy to pray, you're busier that God intends you to be, and you're too busy for your own good. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus prayed on a regular basis. We read of his getting up a great while before day, going out into a solitary place, and there praying. We even read of his praying all night. Well, if Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, the only perfect person even to walk this earth found it necessary to commune daily with his Heavenly Father, it would be the height of arrogance, to say the very least, for any of us to imagine that we can live as we ought without praying daily.

So, how can a person overcome all those obstacles? How can you and I acquire the discipline to have a strong, regular devotional life? The most helpful suggestion I've seen came from Avery T. Willis, and Connie, my wife, called it to my attention. I'm going to paraphrase what he said. Consider this question: If you had an appointment to be interviewed by the CEO of a great company, and you knew that if the interview went well the job would likely be yours, would you keep that appointment? Of course you would. Would you miss that appointment because some interesting program was on TV, or because you had work to do at home, or because you were tired, or because you had company coming in? Of course not.

Well, here's how to shape up your devotional life. Make a firm commitment to meet God in prayer and Bible study at a specific time, and then realize that you have made an appointment with someone far more important than any company CEO. You have made an appointment with the almighty, all-knowing, omnipotent Sovereign God of the universe and, by all means, keep that appointment!

III. Following Afar Off

Now let's look at the third factor leading up to Simon Peter's denial of Jesus. After Christ had prayed in the garden of Gethsemene, Judas, the betrayer, came into the garden with a rowdy multitude who had been sent by the chief priests and elders. They were carrying swords and staves. At that point Peter hadn't yet caved in. In fact, the Bible tells us that he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant but Jesus told him to put up his sword, and Jesus healed the man's ear. Now, let's look at Matthew 26:57-58: "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off."

That was Peter's third mistake. We aren't told what was going through his mind. Perhaps he decided it would be safer a little further back of the crowd. But for whatever reason, he began following afar off and it wasn't long after that that he shamefully denied the one who had come to die for our sins.

I'll never forget something that happened in the early years of my ministry. In the community where Connie and I served there was a fellow, his nickname was Buddy, who was a constant burden to his family. He would get his paycheck and throw a big drunk. His little wife would sometimes sit out on the front step of the little hovel where they lived and weep for hours, not knowing if he was dead or alive. Sometimes he would be gone for days at a time. Then eventually he would show up, stay sober a few days, and then it would start all over again. His wife and children barely eked out an existence and if people of the community had not helped them, they wouldn't have survived. Buddy never darkened the church door. His whole life consisted of drinking and carousing.

Then one day something happened for which people had prayed for years. Our church was in a revival meeting, and God was really blessing. The evangelist and I visited Buddy's home, presented the gospel, and Buddy got on his knees and wept, asking Jesus to forgive his sins and make him the man he ought to be. He made a public profession of faith, I baptized him the following Sunday, and it seemed that whole town was rejoicing. Buddy was sober, week after week. Every time the church doors opened, Buddy was there. He was enthused about learning the Scriptures. Every time some activity was going on at the church Buddy was right in the middle of it. He just couldn't do enough. He said he was so thankful for what God had done for him, that he wanted to serve God in every way he could.

Then one day Buddy said something to me that threw up an immediate red flag. He said, "Preacher, I think I'm going to slack off just a little bit. I'm not going to quit, by any means; I'm just going to let up some." He refused to see the danger of "following afar off." He did slack up, in spite of appeals for him not to. I stayed in touch with him, and prayed earnestly for him but he was convinced that it wouldn't hurt just to let up a little. At first he began missing Prayer Meeting, and then an occasional Sunday service, and then he didn't show up for other activities he had previously attended. And lest you think I'm making too much of that, let me remind us that when a person is unfaithful in his church attendance, that is usually symptomatic of breakdown in other areas of his life as well. One thing led to another. It was Satan's old pattern - he usually brings people down incrementally. A little compromise here, another there, and before you know it you're nowhere near where you once were spiritually. In Buddy's case, I began to hear things I hoped weren't so. Then finally there was no question about it. I learned that Buddy had gotten drunk again. After that, in spite of so many of us trying to help him he just gave up and he went right back into the old lifestyle.

I don't know whether Buddy was really saved or not. If he was truly saved, then undoubtedly God must have chastened him severely. Another church called me, and we moved quite a distance away so I never did know the whole story of what happened after that. But I know that when Buddy began following afar off, it wasn't long until he hit the skids morally and spiritually.

I've read that in areas of the world where there are herds of antelope, packs of wolves will lurk in the shadows until one of the antelope falls behind the herd and then the wolves make their vicious attack. It is also true in the Christian life that a straggler is always an easy target for Satan.

Question - How wide is the gap between you and your Lord? How does your moral integrity now compare to what it was right after you were converted? How do your efforts to witness, to share your faith, compare to your efforts in those earlier years? How about your faithfulness to your church and your involvement in serving the Lord now, as compared with past days? What about the care you take in setting a right example before others? Are you as diligent now as in other days, other years?

Don't misunderstand me. Sometimes there are providential reasons, such as physical disability, or illness, or having to care for a sick loved one or job schedule, for our not being able to do everything we would like to do, and that's an entirely different matter. I'm talking about doing those things which we are capable of doing, and which are in God's plan for us. God only expects of us that which is possible. But if a person slacks off in regard to the things he can do and ought to do, he's headed for big trouble.

But you can change that situation. Even though Simon Peter broke the Savior's heart, Jesus never stopped loving him and he has never stopped loving you. By God's grace, Peter was restored and became a strong, powerful man of God and God will restore you, too, if you'll meet his conditions. Face up to your sins, call them what they are, confess them and ask God's forgiveness, and he'll give you a fresh start. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I've been talking to believers about the tragedy of stumbling on the path of Christian discipleship and how to get up and make a new beginning. But I am likely speaking to some folks today who have never even started on that path, rather you're on that broad way that Jesus spoke of that broad way that leads to destruction, and if you continue on that road to the end of this earthly life you'll spend eternity in that inexpressibly sad place of separation called hell. But you can get off of that road to destruction. God loves you. Jesus died for you. Repent of your sins, and in faith surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

If you commit your life to Christ, he will forgive your sins, give you newness of life, make available his resources on a daily basis for resisting temptation and growing spiritually, pick you up when you stumble and when it's all over down here, he'll take you to heaven to live with him forever. That's an offer that anyone would be foolish to refuse. So, if you haven't taken him up on it yet, I challenge you to do so this very morning. Pray this prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins. I repent of  my sins, and by faith I now accept you as my Lord and Savior. Help me from this day forward to live for you." Then come forward as we sing the hymn of invitation, publicly declare yourself on the Lord's side, and begin the grand adventure of living for Jesus. It will be the wisest and most gladsome decision you ever made.