466
B u s i n e s s
T h e : K i n g ’ s
October 1930
Possibly with the idea o f escaping altogether from the palace, and so avoiding further danger or annoyance. THE COCK CREW—Apparently, from St. Matthew’s account, the second denial had already taken place.. If Jesus o f Nazareth, was' a mere man, how did He foresee that the cock would crow twice and that Peter, ere it did so, would deny Him thrice ? Are we to believe the historians? If so, the question needs an answer. ^ 69— THE MAID SEEING HIM—Apparently the same maid, but another maid had already attacked him (cf. Matt. 26: 71 ); there were evidently more than three denials. THIS FEL LOW IS ONE OF THEM—-She does not now tax him with being a disciple, but’ {folds him up to the contempt o f others. His denials have gained him nothing. 70— HE DENIED IT AGAIN—The denial was not a momen tary lapse due to sudden impulse; it was deliberate and wilful apostasy. Sudden temptation might have been pleaded for the first lapse; it could not account for the continued sin. [Are not the records of the fall o f Judas and Peter proofs o f the truth o f the history? Would writers o f fictitious Church history have represented the great Apostles as so acting? Would they not jiave painted them as immaculate saints?] TRULY THOU ART ONE, THY SPEECH, etc.—There was a Galilean burr, and the Galileans could not pronounce the guttural properly; hence his speech betrayed him. 71— HE BEGAN TO CURSE AND TO CONFIRM W ITH AN OATH—Probably taking the name of God in vain (so the word used would suggest). How easy and continuous is the descent into evil! Peter now falls into profanity and breaks the Third Commandment. I KNOW NOT THE MAN—He not only denies discipleship, but all knowledge o f Christ ; he is a traitor not only to his calling, but also to his Lord. And all this from fear of man, which is in itself a sin, and deadly in its con sequences (cf. Isa. 51:12, 13; 57 :1 1 ;-Prov. 29:25). Note that Peter would have been saved from all this if he had not con sorted with the enemies of Christ. 72— PETER REMEMBERED THE WORD—It was the tender reproachful look of Christ which recalled it to his mind (cf. Luke 22:61). We are never restored to ourselves but by some look or touch of the Divine (cf. Psa. 103:4; 23:3). Peter remembered! Oh, the agony o f such remembrance! Yet how much better, how much more merciful, that than the remem brance which comes too late (cf. Luke 16:25). THINKING THEREON, HE WEPT BITTERLY—The word used denotes loud and bitter wailing. Note that he left the company and went out (cf. Luke 22:62) ; meditation on the Word o f the Lord will produce separation from sinners and true penitence for sin. We must take grave warning from Peter’s fall, but we may also take some encouragement. Despite his sin, Peter did really love his Lord; our bitterest failures do not necessarily prove that we are utterly apostates. He was forgiven and restored, as we may be, nay, shall be, if we truly love and truly repent. “ An Intercessor” "I looked and there was none to help.’’ “I sought for a man . . . that should stand before Me fo r the land . . . but I found none.” “He wondered that there was no Intercessor.” —Isa. 63:5; Ezek. 22:30; Isa. 59:16. Make me an Intercessor, One who can really pray, One of “ the Lord’s remembrancers” By night as well as day. Isa. 62 :6, 7 R. V. Make me an Intercessor,
Make me an Intercessor, In spirit-touch with Thee, And given the heavenly vision, Pray through to victory.
Ezek. 1:1.
Make me an Intercessor, Teach me how to prevail. To stand my ground and still pray on, Though powers of Hell assail. Till, pleading at Thy throne, The sins and sorrows of other lives Become as my very own. Make me an Intercessor, Sharing Thy death and life, In prayer claiming for others Victory in the strife. Make me an Intercessor, Such as Thou dost require, Who will understand and enter Into Thy heart’s desire. Willing for deeper death, Emptied, broken, then made anew, And filled with Living Breath. Make me an Intercessor, Make me an Intercessor,
Eph. 6:13-18.
Ezek. 4:5-6.
Ex. 17:11-12.
Psa. 25:14.
Ezek. 1 :21.
Make me an Intercessor,
Reveal this mighty thing,
The wondrous possibility
O f praying back my King.
2 Sam. 19:10.
Make me an Intercessor, Hidden—-unknown—set apart, Thought little of by those around, But satisfying Thine heart.
Prov. 27:11. — Great Commission Prayer League. pas Looking Forward
Among important contributions which will appear in T he K ing ’ s B usiness in the near future are the fol lowing : S tudies I n S even , B ased on S cripture ’ s N umer ical S tructure — By Rev. Norman B. Harrison, D.D., Pastor, Oliver Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, M inn C an W e S till B elieve that C hrist is S oon C om ing B a c k ?— By Rev. Cortland Myers, D.D., LL.D., well- known preacher and author. A M otive W e O verlook —-By Rev. J. Oliver Bus- well, D.D., President, Wheaton College, Wheaton, 111. C hristianity ’ s D ebt to A rchaeology — By Rev. J. A . Huffman, D.D., Dean, Marion Theological Semi nary, Marion, Ind. T he W ay U p —-By Mr. William H. Ridgway, promi nent business man, Coatesville, Pa. Why not let others share these good things with you ? Thousands of new subscriptions have been received during the past few months. Help us add many more thousands to our list by sending the magazine to your friends. Trial subscriptions, three months, twenty-five cents. See adver tisement on inside back cover.
Through whom the Spirit can plead, For the sin and sorrow on every side O f this world in darkness and need.
Rom. 8 :26, 22.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker