THE KING’S BUSINESS
440
trouble. He had also been warming him self at the enemy’s fire (John 18:25), which is always a dangerous thing to do. When a follower of Jesus seeks to warm himself at the enemy’s fire, you may set it down as certain that you will soon hear him deny ing his Lord. Of course, he did not sym pathize with what the enemies of our Lord had said about his Master as they stood about the fire. It had all grieved his soul, but he had not protested. He should have stood separate from them (Is. 1:1; 26:4- 10; 2 Cor. 6:4-17), but that would have at tracted attention to him and would have made him appear singular, and exposed him to danger. The same arguments for conforming to the world are advanced to day and are of as little value as in Peter’s day. He, however, escaped none of the dangers he sought to avoid. He only got out of his predicament by denying his Lord, and that is the only way in which one can escape who seeks to make friends with the world (Jas. 4:4; 1 Cor. 15:23 R. V. ; Prov. 13:20; Eph. 5:11, 12). Bad company is a good thing to keep out of unless one goes into it to win them for Christ and keeps that purpose in mind every moment. Be fore w*e upbraid Peter too sternly, we would better ask ourselves whether we may not be, at least ’by our conduct saying, “I know not the Man.” Each time his denial of his Lord was stronger than the former denial. The sinner until he repents goes from bad to worse. At last Peter is at the bottom. When he had denied his Lord the “three times,” the cock crew, and recalled the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crow, thou shàlt deny me thrice.” And now disloyalty and cowardice give way to bitter tears and repentance. The time came, after Pente cost, when Peter did not deny his Lord, then he chose death instead of denial Peter has many followers as he was in his cow ardice and failure before Pentecost. Would that he had more followers as he was in his dauntless heroism and devotion after Pentecost.
day who pose as ‘-scholars” and sit in judg ment on Christ and His Gospel. After all the other false witnesses had failed, two came who swore to what was in part true (v. 61 cf. John 2:19). The most dangerous of all lies is the one that has as its basis a modicum of truth. Jesus made no reply to all these false charges. He thus fulfilled proph ecy (Is. 53:7). He committed His case to God (1 Pet. 2:23) and attempted no de fense of Himself. In this He left us an example (1 Pet. 2:21; Ps, 35: 5, 6). The high priest was amazed and confused by the Matt. 26:64-68. , At last the high priest asked him directly, “Art thou the Christ, the Son of God?’' The question was intended to entrap Jesus but it really resulted in our Lord’s plainest and most glorious testimony to His own Deity (v. 64). If Jesus is not Divine, then He is the most daring blasphemer in all the world’s history. Caiaphas was glad to hear His unequivocal assertion of His own Deity; for now he had a ground for the charge of blasphemy. But Jesus told him of another judgment day when He Himself would be the Judge and Caiaphas and his colleagues the accused! Many are sitting in judgment on Christ today, but let us never forget that one day he is to sit in Jjudgment on us. The exact character and force of Jesus’ statement of His Deity in verse 64 should be carefully studied and deeply pondered. He was sentenced to death on the charge of blasphemy (v. 65). Every denier of His Deity practically as sents to the justice of the charge. After the verdict Jesus was-shamefully treated, spat upon, buffeted, slapped, mocked (cf. Luke 23:11; Mark 15:16-20). It was for us He suffered so (Is. 53:5). Wednesday, May 5. Matt. 26:69-75. After Jesus’ arrest Peter had followed his Lord afar off into the court of the high priest (v. 58) and by so doing got into silence of Jesus. Tuesday, May 4.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker