THE ULTIMATE DENIAL: “I KNOW NOT THE MAN” (Part 2 of 2)
By Chaplain Dave Purdle, Founder, Ministry 9-1-1
Matthew 26:69-75
The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus is one of the most gut-wrenching in the Gospels. At the Last Supper, Peter said he was willing to give his life for the Lord. Peter made statements, such as, “…Though all men shall be offended (‘a stumblingblock or snared’) because of thee, yet will I never be offended (‘snared’ or ‘a stumblingblock’),” and “…Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee” (Matthew 26:33 & 35). However, Jesus told Peter that before the cock crowed the next morning, Peter would deny Him three times. When Jesus was taken away to be tried and beaten, Peter followed.
In last month’s devotional, we asked the question: Why did Peter deny Christ the way he did? We pointed out a six point process through which Peter fell; five of them were discussed previously. They were: 1) Peter’s conceit (or pride) (vv. 31-35); 2) Peter’s carelessness (vv. 36-45); 3) Peter’s carnality (v. 50-54); 4) Peter’s concealment (vv. 57-58a; cf. John 18:15-18); 5) Peter’s comfort (v. 58b). This month, we will look at point #6, the ultimate denial, Peter’s collapse (vv. 69-75). We watch in shock as Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and most committed followers, denies Him, not just once, but three times.
Notice the temptation of this sin: Peter’s denials after being questioned. It was this restlessness of attempted indifference which attracted the attention of the maid who had at the first admitted him. In the chattering of his soul’s fever into which the chill had struck, Peter vehemently denied all knowledge of Him to whom the woman referred…of the very meaning of what she said: “You too were with Jesus the Galilean” (v. 69). In giving her an evasive answer: (“I know not what thou sayest”) (i.e. he pretended that he did not understand the charge, that he knew not whom she meant by Jesus of Galilee, or what she meant by being with him), Peter withdrew from those around the fire. He was not thinking of anything else now than how chilly it felt, and how right he had been in not being entrapped by that woman. It is a fault to lie: to not remember or understanding something, when we really do. It is a greater fault to be shy of Christ or to deny Him.
But there was no rest for Peter. As he walked down ‘the porch,” which ran round and opened into the outer courtyard, another servant followed him and announced to those standing around Peter, “This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth” (v. 71). Notice how disrespectfully they spoke of Christ—Jesus of Galilee, and Jesus of Nazareth, chastising Him with the country He represented. As well, observe how disdainfully they spoke of Peter: “This fellow.” They thought of him as a scandalous and suspected person. Peter said flat and plain, and backed it with an oath: “I do not know the man” (v. 72). In effect, this was to say, I will not own Him. I am not a Christian, or a follower of Christ.”
A little later, as Peter crossed the inner court to mingle again with the group around the fire, where he had previously found safety, those who had heard the servant girl’s accusation now openly joined in saying, “Surely you too are one of them, for even the way you talk gives you away” (v. 73 NASB) (or check a parallel passage in Mark 14:70 ESV: “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” The third verbal assault put Peter over the edge: “Then began he to curse (Gr. katanathematizo , utter curses against, devoted to destruction) and to swear (Gr. omnumi, is used of affirming/denying by an oath), saying, I know not the man.” (v. 74). This was worst of all, for the way of sin is downhill. He cursed and swore to back what he said so they wouldn’t question him anymore and that he wasn’t one of Christ’s disciples because it is the language of his enemies to take His name in vain. This is written for warning to us, that we sin not after the likeness of Peter’s offense, that we never deny Christ the Lord that bought us, by rejecting His offers, resisting His Spirit, dissembling our knowledge of Him, and being ashamed of Him and His Words, or afraid of suffering for Him.
What is the aggravation of this sin? Several things should be noted briefly: Peter was one of the first three apostles. The greater profession we make of Christ, the greater our sin if in any thing we walk unworthily. There was the adequate warning Christ had given Peter of his danger. If Peter would have listened, he would not have run himself into temptation. Peter solemnly had promised to adhere to Christ in this night of trial, because he said again and again, “Yet will I never be offended,” and “Yet will I not deny thee.” Peter fell into this sin after the Lord’s Supper. When you look at it, check out how comparatively weak the temptation was: it was not the judge or officials of the court; rather it was a silly maid or two that probably wouldn’t have done anything to him. Finally, note how often Peter repeated his denials. The cock had crowed once and he continued, and a second and third time relapsed into sin. IS THIS PETER? HOW ART THOU FALLEN! He fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas by design. His heart was against it. Yet Peter acted and spoken very carelessly and before he was aware.
We now see Peter’s contrition (repentance) for this sin (v. 75). What is was that brought Peter to repentance? He heard the cock crow (v. 74). The crowing of the cock is to Peter instead of a John the Baptist, the voice of one calling to repentance. Conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock, to put us in mind of what we had forgotten. He remembered the words of the Lord. This was it that brought him to himself, and melted him into tears of godly sorrow. It was a sense of his ingratitude to Christ and the slight regard he had to the gracious warning Christ had given him. How was Peter’s repentance expressed? He went out and wept bitterly (v. 75). His sorrow was secret: He went out of the High Priest’s hall, angry at himself that he ever came into it, now that he found out what a snare he was in, and got out of it as fast as he could. His sorrow was serious. Peter, who wept so bitterly for denying Christ, never denied Him again, but confessed Him often and openly, and in the mouth of danger.
Peter loved Jesus and he was sincere when he promised to be loyal to Him. But he did not know himself. He had not yet come to the place where he saw no good in the flesh at all. But Peter was honest enough to admit his sin and confess it (cf. I John 1:9), and that is the real test of a genuine believer. Peter lost his discipleship, not his sonship, and his commission was restored in John 21. Think of it: Peter had denied the Lord three times publicly and had to confess his love for Christ three times publicly. But besides being a fisher of men, he was to shepherd the lambs and sheep and feed them the Word of God (cf. I Peter 5). Years later in his epistle he wrote I Peter 1:5: “(We) are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Peter knew that the Lord Jesus had kept him. God was able to use Peter later because he made things right with the Lord. Christ blesses and uses those who obey and follow Him. Let us earnestly resolve never to deny Jesus, but let us make sure that we do not boast of our strength. How important it is to watch and pray!
You will never get ahead of anyone as long as
you are trying to get even with them.
Bible Word Scramble – Unscramble These New Testament Books
- O M N S A R
- T S T I U
- S E A M J
- K E U L
- H A T E T W M
- I P M H E L O N
Forgiveness should be like burning the mortgage—
It’s gone and forgotten.
Ten Ways for a Long Life
1. Eat a good diet, low in calories, but generous in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and liquids.
2. Keep the body and mind free of waste.
3. Get adequate rest.
4. Have daily periods of freedom from regular routine and avoid accumulated fatigue.
5. Avoid the consuming fires of anger, jealousy, hatred, and fear. They raise the blood pressure, strain the heart, and impair the mind.
6. Preserve a sense of pride in your job and remember that it is a privilege to work. Maintain physical fitness.
7. Cultivate a sense of humor. It relaxes tension, diminishes anxiety, promotes friendship, and imparts joy to lessen the load of the day.
8. Maintain companionship with your friends and community. Isolation is one of the great curses of old age leading to depression.
9. Increase your participation in community affairs.
10. Keep growing mentally with added years. Keep the proper incentive: the will to live.
Everyone should have a large cemetery in which
to bury the faults of their friends.
Ministry 9-1-1 honors our law enforcement officers the week of May 13-19, 2012 in remembrance of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week. This specific week recognizes the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers and pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
The observance was created on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. President John Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. Amended in 1994, President Bill Clinton directed that the United States flag be flown at half-staff on May 15. According to a proclamation by President George W. Bush in 2002, “Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week pay tribute to the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication. These observances also remind us of the ongoing need to be vigilant against all forms of crime, especially to acts of extreme violence and terrorism.”
We pay tribute to those fallen officers who have given their lives in serving their respective communities. We remember the families of the fallen officers and the void that exists because of their loss. Further, we honor the men and women who wear the badge today and faithfully execute their duties as law enforcement officers, keeping the streets safe and protecting our lives and property. We sincerely appreciate all that our law enforcement officers do!
May we continue to pray for the continued safety of our police officers patrolling the streets. It has been mentioned before but it cannot be stressed enough: the ultimate goal as 9-1-1 telecommunicators is to see the officers come in off the road safely at the end of shift and see them go home to their families and loved ones. Never forget that “officer safety” is the key in a dispatcher’s line of work.
Finally, on a sad note and “close to home,” long-time Clinton Twp. (MI) Police Dispatcher Mark Kalvinski passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 9. He was 52 years old and had been employed by CTPD for 22 years. Although Mark suffered from several health issues (including being handicapped in a wheelchair), Dave said he was a great person and good co-worker, and had a knack for handling and multi-tasking in progress calls. Those words on the phone, “…alright, hang on,” then right to the air, “Any 60 car in the area of…” He could be straightforward and curt, and yet was a sensitive and caring person. He will be missed! Please remember Mark’s family and co-workers at CTPD in your prayers. We express our deepest thoughts and sympathy as well. “WPBS-913, Station 60, clear.” And with that, we sign off for this month’s edition of “APB”. Watch for our “APB” next month.
Brenda Purdle
Ministry Partner
You will never get ahead of anyone as long as
you are trying to get even with them.
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Bible Scramble answers: 1] Romans; 2] Titus; 3] James; 4] Luke; 5] Matthew; 6] Philemon