Monday, January 8, 2024
“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).
How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?
Read his first denial of Christ as seen from four perspectives. “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest” (Matthew 26:69,70). “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew” (Mark 14:66-68). “But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not” (Luke 22:56,57). “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not” (John 18:17).
Now, Peter’s second denial presented from four angles. “And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:71,72). “And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again…” (Mark 14:69,70a). “And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not” (Luke 22:58). “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not” (John 18:25).
As if Peter has not been ludicrous enough, the third and final denial reveals something especially outlandish about what specifically he is using to “protect” himself. Today’s Scripture is most insightful….
333 Words of Grace 