Peters denial of jesus christ

by Rick Smith
(Chapel Hill)

As We View The Mirror - Peter? Paul? or Us?

Peters denial of Jesus Christ teaches us something. In the Christian life, our day to day life often presents struggles, temptations and mistakes. It is our quests to become more Christ like while even our best efforts lapse into the mire of this world. Yet we have examples of stalwarts in the faith that equally faced this daily contest of our spiritual and earthly wills.

Paul well stated his own predicament when he said, "For what the flesh wants is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, and so you do not do what you want to do." (Galatians 5:17) Is this the reason for Peters denial of Jesus Christ?

So often this conflict is one of those burdens we carry as we continue in this physical journey in a material world. As it may or not be a comfort, even the Disciples of Christ battled with this engagement of the head vs. the heart.

Of the many disciples, Peter has always been my favorite and the most terrestrial, regular guy, a man on the street, easiest to identify with. As you study Peter, you find his life as a big, burly, and physically strong and often times strong headed. Opinionated? Perhaps. P

Peter had a comment or view on most events or teachings of Jesus throughout their time together. Peter was a primary figure whom Christ often questioned or accompanied Him to some of the most spectacular moments in the ministry.

As much as Peter could be a shining example to the other disciples (besides when peters denial of Jesus Christ), in the next moment he may hear laughs and snickers from the others when rebuked by Christ for a 'blunder' remark. Matthew 16 is a great place to find such an occurrence. Beginning in verse 13, Jesus questions the disciples as to "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

Several gave different answers - John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah--but it was Peter who said, "You are the Christ, Son of the living God! Although in the same chapter as Christ describes His death, it was once more Peter, feeling confident he had the right answers, rebukes Christ, "No, no, no. Lord your way off base, that'll never happen to you!" Jesus replied to Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan," and continued on to explain to Peter and the others the arrogance which Peter was presuming to know the mind of God. Christ knew in His heart it was not Peter's belief as Satan was using Peter to dispute and naysayer of what Christ knew He was soon to face.

Peter continues to remain a 'blessed person' in the ministry of Christ, for it was with James and John, Peter accompanied Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration. After spending the years and life in the presence of our Lord, witnessing miracles, hearing the words of Christ firsthand: Peter, like all of us sometimes, 'forgot' all we know about the promises of God. In Mark 14, during the last supper as Jesus spoke of His soon arriving death and last hours on earth; it was Peter.

It was Peter who again 'had all the answers' to Christ's assessment of coming events. In verse 29, Peter says, "Lord, I don't know about all these other guys, they may run away, but I won't, I'll never leave you!" Christ replies to Peter of his denial of Him to which Peter became emphatic, "You're wrong! Let me tell you, I'll die with you if I have to, I'll never deny or leave you!" (paraphrased)

We all know the outcome; Peters denial of Jesus Christ three times to the point of vehemently swearing "I know not the man!" But in Peter's grief, self disappointment, embarrassment and sadness, in a fishing boat when others in the vessel looked toward the shore and said, "It is the Lord."

It was Peter who jumped out of the boat and swam to shore while the others rowed. It was during this exchange between Jesus and Peter as they ate breakfast by the sea, Peter came to actually 'know' and accept the mind of Christ and saw the truth which had often been hidden by Peter's attitude, assumptions and pride.

We began this discussion quoting Paul in Galatians. We finish with Paul writing once more in Romans 7:15, "For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, I do practice; but what I hate, that I do." Like Paul and Peter, God is still working on us as we continue in this walk with Him.

As we ask His grace, mercy and understanding that to gain the wisdom, as Peter found one morning, at sunrise, a new day, on the beach talking with the Master..

May God Bless.