TOPIC: DENYING JESUS?
MEMORISE:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1
READ: Luke 22:54-60
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 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.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 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.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
MESSAGE:
An adage says “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are”. The company you keep will go a long way to show who you are, what you do and how you respond to situation in life.
The story in our Bible reading of today tells us how peter eventually denied the master as predicted by Jesus Christ. Why did Peter deny Jesus? one, the Bible says when Jesus was taken and brought into the high priest’s house, Peter followed him “afar off” (Luke 22:54). It is dangerous to follow Jesus from afar. Secondly, because it was so cold out there, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those enjoying the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some so-called believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of strange men and women.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1
Peter, forgetting that he had the identity of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the resident of Jerusalem. He was confronted with the truth that he was a Galilean and follower of Jesus Christ for that matter. Many pretend they are not Christians so that they may conform to some so called ‘comfort zones’ in life, whereas, the Bible says we should not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2).
Peter was not sensitive enough in the spirit to recognize that his location did not support his commitment to Jesus Christ. He denied Jesus to the point of swearing and the cook crew (Matthew 26:74-75). Beloved, let us learn from Peter that we should not follow Jesus from afar. We must not patronize places that would compromise our spiritual health, no matter how attractive they may be.
Sometime ago, I was on a road trip and was accosted by armed robbers. I asked my Daddy why such a thing would happen to me and He said “It is because you are dressed like the people the robber are looking for!” Truly, that day, I was dressed flamboyantly in the traditional attire of one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria and the robbers mistook me for a chief!
Beloved, God wants us to be mindful of how we dress and the people we spend our time with. We are called to identify with the Lord always.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me never to deny You, however tough the trial may be.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 11-15.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
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