DENY OR DECLARE

DENY OR DECLARE

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. —John 18:25-27

Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. —Matthew 26:56

Then everyone deserted him and fled. —Mark 16:50

            After Jesus was arrested John and Peter followed Him.   John was known by the High Priest and was able to enter the courtyard and also to bring Peter in (John 16:15-16).   Jesus had told Peter that he would deny him and that the rooster would crow, confirming that statement.  

            How would you and I respond today if we were in a crowd that was hostile toward Jesus and we were asked if we were one of His followers? Hopefully we would acknowledge that we were and proceed to bear witness. Peter denied that he was one of Jesus’ follows or that he had been with Him.

            All the other disciples had “deserted him and fled.” It was only John and Peter that followed Jesus right into the courtyard. Yet, when it came right down to it, just as Jesus said it would happen, Peter denied knowing Jesus. So in a real sense Peter deserted Jesus and fled as well. He was fleeing from knowing Jesus to escape physical harm and in a real sense Peter deserted Jesus as well.

            But what about us? What would we do today? Would we cower and deny knowing Jesus if we were asked by those hostile to Him? Or would we boldly stand with Jesus and bear witness to Him? Oh that we would boldly stand and share the Word of God with those around us. Yes, dear Father may this be the case in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May we stand and speak Your Word! So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA_cSFdUMqk