Nuggets
…from Matthew 26
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"And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly."
Matt. 26:73-74
In the place where I pursue part-time work, there is a sign which admonishes, "know your limits." There are regulations in that workplace which restrict access to persons under eighteen years of age, and the signs are a reminder for those who fall into that category. That sign, however, would make a good motto for Christians in pursuit of the will of God, as Peter's heartbreaking experience on the eve of the Savor's crucifixion illustrates.
Earlier in the chapter the Lord Jesus began to unveil for the disciples the events which would soon come to pass, and then predicted the defection of His disciples as a result. Peter's bold reaction is singled out for notice, ad he boasted, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." And when the Savior declared that the night would not pass before Peter had thrice denied Him, the impetuous apostle vehemently replied, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny Thee." (cf. Mt. 26:31-35)
Perhaps it is because of Peter's rugged disposition and ready speech that he is singled out for emphasis in the account of the events that followed, but it is important to remember that the record concludes, "Likewise also said all the disciples." These men were not fickle by nature, at least in the ordinary sense of the word, nor were they wimps. They were, many of them, men of courage, determination and strength born of a life of hard labor in a rugged industry. And, they were men of integrity who were surely sincere and intended to keep their word.
The strong affirmation of Peter and his fellows was the expression of their deep affection and determined commitment to Jesus, Whom they all had concluded was "the Christ, the Son of the living God." But, when the crisis hour came, the big fisherman denied the Savior with an oath. As for the others, let us remember, "all the disciples forsook Him and fled." (v.56) Peter was not alone. And you and I would have done the same!
"Know your limits!" If we are to stand in the evil day, we will need to know first the real nature of the battle in which we are engaged. The Holy Spirit has instructed us that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12) This is a battle that requires more than sincerity to win. There are elements at work in the conflict of the ages like no other on earth, and the best resources of man are no match for their subtlety and power. This the disciples did not, and at that point could not know.
And with this there is a another incident worthy of note. Immediately following Peter's bold affirmation, the disciples accompanied the Lord to the Garden of Gethsemene and repeatedly fell asleep while He wrestled in prayer against the impending trial. Gently chiding them for their laxity, Jesus said, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" then offered the explanation, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt. 26:40-41)
"Know your limits." The enemy is strong, the flesh is weak. Survival in this battle, to say nothing of victory, can never be realized through human determination or natural resources. The psalmist understood it when he prayed to the end, "that I may know how frail I am." (Psalm 39:4) The Savior said, "Without Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5) He said that with reference to fruit bearing, but it is a principle that applies across the board in the spiritual realm. In yet another place we are counseled, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10:12) It is not until we have recognized the bankruptcy of the flesh that we will begin to rely on the Spirit as we should.
A gifted preacher friend said, "It takes God to be godly." It is for that reason Jesus said to His heavy-eyed disciples, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." The Christian who presumes to trust in his own love for Christ, his "dedication," his natural resources, is destined to fail as miserably as Peter did—and for the same reason!
Victory finally came for Peter—after Pentecost. It requires the same Holy Spirit, not as an article in our statement of faith, but as One personally present and relied upon, in our hearts and lives, to "keep us from falling." When we have entered into and begun to function in terms of a right relation with Him, we will make no boast in ourselves, but with the Psalmist will say, "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble will hear thereof and be glad." (Ps. 34:2)
For HIS glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
