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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
December, 1934
falling to similar depths. We must be careful lest our own pride lead us to con demn Peter, in the same way that he dis counted the loyalty of the other disciples. Finally, Peter’s denial was complete, and it occurred just as Jesus had said it would. The cock crew, and Peter’s soul was con victed. The word of the prophet was proved to be true, for all the disciples were offended ; the word of Jesus was also true, and Peter added to his offense an open and public denial. What a contrast there is be tween the exact and certain Word of God and the boastful and vacillating word of manl IV. T h e R ecovery from th e D enial (72). When Peter heard the cock crow, he was reminded at once of Jesus’ words. He was filled with shame and chagrin, and conviction of sin seized him. Jesus had told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat, but that thé Lord had prayed that his faith would not fail (Lk. 22:31, 32). And now, that prayer was being answered; Peter’s faith did not fail. He was brought to true repentance and resto ration. His was a godly sorrow, working repentance (cf. 2 Cor. 7 :10). Peter thought on the words of Jesus, and “he wept.” Blessed weeping that condemns one’s own self and in such condemnation takes God’s side against the sinning saint ! This attitude of true repentance is the pathway to restoration and cleansing (1 John 1 :7-9). After the weeping, there came full resto ration for Peter. The work of restoration was accomplished privately, with no one present besides the Lord and Peter. All we know is that the Lord appeared to Peter after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5). The Lord would not allow any others to witness that scene when the shame of the disciple was brought into the light. Peter’s public restoration is recorded in John 21:15-19. Before all the disciples, he re gained his place and was given full recog nition as one with the Lord and with the Lord’s followers. Point« and Problems 1. The English word " offended ” in verse 27 is woefully weak. The Greek word is skandaliso, which means literally to cause to stumble. Paul uses this term in 1 Co rinthians 1 :23, where he speaks of a cruci fied Messiah as a “stumblingblock” to the Jew. They expected a Messiah who would reign in glory, not die in shame. “All ye shall be offended because of me this night,” said Jesus to His disciples. It was the beginning of the “skandal” of the cross. 2. Peter’s protest in verse 29 reveals the first step in his terrible fall, for every fall into sin has a history. “Although all shall be offended,” said Peter, “yet will not I." Too much ¿«//-confidence 1 Peter was really saying, “Lord, these other men may fall, but I am made of different and better stuff; I will not fail.” When we feel this way, we are on the way to a crushing defeat. " V 1 ■ 3. In this connection, it is interesting to notice the Golden Text: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Too often this text is read wrongly. People use it to prove that the Christian has no right to assurance. They will quote it at the man who stands up and says, “Thank God, I know that I am saved.” But God never intended that this text should be used to undermine the blessed truth of Christian assurance. It should be read with the emphasis on the
testing to do Peter harm, but the Lord laid hold upon it, and brought good to Peter through even such a bitter experience as this. This incident in Peter’s life illustrates truth written centuries before his life time: “When pride cometh, then cometh shame,” and, “A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Prov. 11:2; 29:23). When the heart becomes lifted up with self-congratu lation the time to beware is come. Satan is ever watching for the entrance which pride provides. There is need for the Chrstian to hearken to and remember the words of our Lord: “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29), and, “With out me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Peter’s pride issued in his unbelief, and this led to his denial of the Lord. It is the sin which is common to us all, and against which we are warned in the words, “Lay aside . . . the sin which doth so easily beset us” (Heb. 12:1). II. T h e P lace of th e D enial (54). “Afar off” is a dangerous place for the believer to be. The Christian was “afar off” when he was a sinner “without Christ, . . having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). But the believer has been brought nigh by the blood of Christ, and should remain in the position of close fellowship. Peter refused to align himself with the Lord, but took a position “afar off,” in order to escape be coming involved in whatever might occur when Jesus was arraigned. In Peter, what a revelation of the changing character of human nature is to be seen! A few hours earlier, Peter could draw his sword and be willing to face the whole company of the enemies of Jesus, and he could deny that he would ever be offended in Jesus. But now he is filled with dread lest any one should think that he even knew Jesus, much less that he was one of His friends. When the believer is found associating with the Lord’s enemies, it does not require great effort on Satan’s part to bring that believer to do what the foes of the Lord are doing. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Loving the world simply means taking one’s stand with the world, against the Lord Jesus Christ. This is ex actly what Peter did when he followed Jesus “afar off” and mingled with the Lord’s enemies (cf. John 15:18-21). III. T h e C haracter of th e D enial (66-72). Seemingly, Peter’s denial was sudden, but that impression is gained because the events which led to the denial are unseen. There is no sudden denial of the Lord, and no sudden falling into sin. What appears to be sudden transgression is only the fruit of that which has been growing in the heart and waiting for opportunity to manifest itself. Had Peter listened to the word of the Lord, and believed the Scriptures which told of his being offend ed, he would doubtless have been filled with sorrow at the thought; but, so far as human knowledge extends, he would have been spared the denial of his Lord. It was cowardly of Peter to deny that he knew Jesus, but pride is often revealed in cowardice. At the very time of boasted strength, weakness appears, and then lying follows, in an effort to bolster up one’s pride. Thus pride, lying, unfaithfulness, oaths, and curses appear in the course of denial of Christ. We must remember that the record of Peter’s failure is given us in order that we may be guarded from
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