Denial

Introduction

The meal has been eaten. The warnings have been given. Jesus tells that one of them will betray him. None can believe their ears. Peter is perhaps more vocal than any of the others. Jesus warns him that Satan is out to get him. Satan wants to tear him apart. “It’s not possible,” Peter says. “I am so committed to you that I will go to jail for you. No, that’s not good enough. I will die for you.” And Jesus says that before the night is over he will deny him three times. Peter is confident of his commitment. He is confident of his confession. He will not fail. He will not deny his teacher and master. Peter knows his own heart. He knows how strong his faith is. He knows that when all others fail, he will not. With all that is within him Peter declares that he will not forsake his Lord.

The scene shifts. Now in the garden. Jesus presses that they must pray. They must prepare themselves for the battle which is to come. They think it is a physical one, but Jesus means a spiritual battle. “Pray so that you will not fall into temptation,” Jesus pleads. But the disciples choose to sleep instead. The angry mob approaches. Judas leads the way. Words are exchanged. There is some pushing and shoving. Suddenly the glint of the moonlight catches the blade of a sword as it rushes through the air landing on the side of the head of one of the servants of the high priest. There is a cry of pain. A loud voice rebukes the bearer of the sword and with great swiftness Jesus touches the injured man making him whole and complete. The mob moves closer and Jesus freely gives himself over to them. And the disciples frightened and confused run from the garden. And now the promise to never forsake the Lord rings hollow.

Commitment is never as easy as it seems. Marriage vows made in the hope of youth must be lived out in the day to day drama of life. Commitments made to children are often challenged as we try to do what is best for them. And what about our own confession to give our lives to Jesus. A confession made before our baptism; a confession not made lightly. With great courage we make the confession that Jesus is the Christ and in essence we make the same claim as Peter: “I’ll never forsake my Lord.” And so we sing “Tho so helpless I cannot see, What the future may hold for me; Jesus knows and my guide will be; I’ll never forsake my Lord.” And some days we sing it with enthusiasm and other days we sing quietly with embarrassment. Peter made a vow to remain ever faithful to his Lord. But he couldn’t fulfill the promise. What are we to learn from Peter’s experience? How can we be strengthened in our commitment? What is it going to take to live up to our commitment? Let’s be encouraged today in our walk with the one who never fails to keep his promises.

In the Courtyard

Jesus is taken to the house of the High Priest. Large houses were built around a courtyard space. This would have been open air and would have been a gathering place for guests, servants, and residents. Jesus is taken to a quickly arranged trial with Jewish religious leaders. Out in the courtyard servants and members of the mob would gather. A fire is built. It is a chilly night. Peter wants to know what is going to happen to Jesus. So with a fear which makes it difficult to breathe, he gathers around the fire to chase the chill away. A servant girl begins to look closely at Peter. She is staring at him. You can see Peter looking down trying not to be recognized. Driven by curiosity he sits by the fire, but fear is his companion. There have been murmurs and quiet stirrings, but nothing consistent. Suddenly the stillness is broken by the accusing words of the servant girl, “This man was with him.” The shadows of the fire flicker across Peter’s face as everyone turns to look at him. Defensively, Peter answers. He can’t afford to be discovered. They may arrest him. “Woman, I don’t know him.” In order to protect himself, Peter completely and utterly denies his master. Did his promise cross his mind “I’ll never forsake my Lord?”

While Luke doesn’t tell us, Matthew does—Peter moves away from the fire. He will fight the chill rather than fight the crowd. Hovering in the night chill, Peter blowing on his hands, another approaches him. This one saw Peter around the fire and like the servant girl is confident of the face. Remember Peter has been very visible the past few days as Jesus has openly taught in the temple area. In the courtyard would have been servants and temple soldiers who would have seen Jesus and his disciples together. This man approaches and said “I saw you with the others surrounding Jesus.” Peter is caught again. And with great protesting Peter responds, “Man, I am not one of them.” And with a few words Peter renounces his fellowship with the other disciples. Did he think “I’ll never forsake my Lord?”

Peter shuffles off to another corner of the courtyard. This time he places himself a bit closer to the High Priest’s house. Maybe, he thinks, he can hear some of the proceedings. Maybe he’ll catch a glimpse of Jesus and seeing him try to reassure him that he is standing ready. An hour passes. Nothing happens. Peter begins to relax just a bit. Not too much, just enough to be less aware of the stares and hushed whispers. Another approaches. Peter doesn’t move. He can’t give the impression that he is afraid. As this one stands next to Peter he announces to the entire group “This man is dressed like a Galilean. His voice is that of a Galilean. Jesus is from Galilee. This man was with him.” Peter’s response is quick, loud, and sure. “I don’t know why you keep making this connection between me and the loser inside. I don’t have anything to do with him.” Peter denies his identity which is based in Jesus. And the rooster crows. And Peter looks up just as Jesus comes within view. And in a brief moment Jesus says it all in his face. It is a look of disapproval and hurt. And Peter runs from the courtyard remembering the words of his friend and teacher. And remembering all too well his promise to never forsake his Lord.

Lessons

I’ll never forsake my Lord. I’m convinced that sooner or later we all have a courtyard experience. At one time or another we will find ourselves surrounded by those who do not know the master and we will be given an opportunity to claim Jesus as our Lord or to deny him. And if we approach that situation in the same way as Peter, we will deny Jesus and fellowship with his people. Peter is trying to keep his relationship with Jesus a secret. He’s afraid. If we approach this world with fear then we will not take a bold stand for Jesus. Peter is embarrassed. He is afraid of the consequences. Such attitudes will keep us from being near to Jesus. And then we come here and sing “I’ll never forsake my Lord.” Really?

You are at school one day. Everyone is laughing and joking. Sexual remarks fly. A crude joke is told. Someone else is cursing. And standing there you are asked to join in the “fun.” You are asked to be part of the crowd. Do you think, “I’ll never forsake my Lord?” You are at work. You and your fellow workers are in the break room. Not much has changed since school days. The same crude language and jokes are told. Only now they are more sophisticated and with about the same amount of pressure you are being asked to join the crowd. Don’t stick out. Blend in. Do you think, “I’ll never forsake my Lord?”

When we make our confession—“I believe Jesus is the Christ”—we make that confession in front of folks who are for us. But a private confession demands a public commitment. A confession made here means little unless it is demonstrated outside this building. Peter denied his Lord, his fellowship and his identity. In each of those denials, Peter forgot his confession. If someone had asked Peter to deny the Lordship of Jesus, he would have laughed. It is when the pressure is on and the fear of embarrassment or even worse being pushed away is present that Peter denied his Lord. The pressure to fit in and to be a part of things may cause some of us to deny our Lord. And so our confession takes on a few extra words, “I believe Jesus is the Christ except now in which it is more important for me to fit in or not be laughed at.”

After three years with 11 other guys, Peter dismisses them with a short terse statement. “I don’t know them.” We have some folks like that. They demonstrate by their lack of being a part of us that there is no fellowship. It is a fellowship of convenience. I have done weddings and funerals for those who call out of convenience. Haven’t seen them or talked to them but they need God’s presence at this important occasion. To confess that Jesus is the Christ means following through with that confession in the daily routine of life. It means making sure that you take a bold stand for Jesus. It means not being ashamed of him or the fellowship of his people. It means realizing that who we are and what we are is because of who Jesus is. Peter’s downfall came when he wilted under the pressure of the moment. We will fall as well if we are not prepared for the pressured moments. You may have already fallen because of the pressure. Invitation.

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