We all could do well
To learn from Peter
He didn’t simply
Outright deny Jesus
It happened in stages…
“But he denied it
before them all,
saying”
(Matthew 26:70)
“But again he denied
with an oath”
(Matthew 26:72)
“Then he began
to curse and swear,
saying”
(Matthew 26:74)
“Immediately a rooster crowed.
And Peter remembered
the word of Jesus
who had said to him…
So he went out
and wept bitterly.”
(Matthew 26:74 – 75)
Peter denied…
Peter denied with an oath…
Peter denied with cursing
And swearing…
Peter denied Jesus in stages…
And so do we…
Or at least we get ourselves
Into trouble…
In stages…
Nobody ever goes out
And commits adultery
On a whim…
It happens in stages…
Getting dissatisfied…
Looking at other men / women
Other than your spouse…
Allowing your thoughts
To go places you shouldn’t go…
And eventually ending up
Out of Control…
Which is usually true
For any sin…
Peter was under pressure
These people were asking
Awkward questions…
He was thinking about his
Own well being…
What they might do to him…
Until the third time…
When the rooster crowed…
And then he remembered…
And wept bitterly…
DON’T WE…?
When we fall…?
We never intended to…
We thought we had it sorted…
We knew what we were doing…
BUT…we lost control
And we fell…
We sinned…
In whatever our particular
Problem or vice is…
After Pentecost
When Jesus had already
Restored Peter and he
Was now focused on Jesus…
He was a different man
As too with us and for us
Jesus can restore us
He always will and does
So stay focused on Jesus
And temptation will not
Have such a strong grip
As we say every time when
We pray, “Our Father…”
Enabling us to stay
In Control…