Originally posted 11/6/20
We read the Bible every night as a family. We have done family Bible study since our kids were toddlers. Studying the Bible together is one of my favorite times of the day. We are currently reading through the book of Matthew. Peter shows us a great example of wanting to do the right thing but using the power of his flesh. Later we see Peter wanting to do the right thing and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Why I Love Peter
Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. He is blunt and says exactly what is in his mind. Sure, his bluntness gets him in trouble A LOT. We never have to wonder what Peter is thinking because he just blurts it out. I would bet that many of the other people around are thinking the same exact thing. They are just too afraid to ask Jesus questions.
Trying to do Right Without the Holy Spirit
Peter is no different on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Jesus tries to prepare his disciples for what was about to happen.
“Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” Matthew 26:31-35 (ESV)
Peter is so certain that no matter what happens, he would stand by his teacher. He makes bold statements like, “I will never fall away,” and “I will never deny you!” Never is a strong word. Many times when I say never, I don’t really mean it. I may proclaim I will never do something, but then circumstances change and I find myself doing that very thing. So it is with Peter. I believe he believes his declarations in that moment, surrounded by his friends and Rabbi. Peter couldn’t imagine a scenario where he would deny knowing Jesus. Yet, in just a few hours he does just that, three times! Peter is so charismatic that he even convinces all the other disciples that they too would stand by Jesus no matter what happens that night.
Peter Denies Knowing Jesus
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69-75 ESV
The Disconnect
Why is it that Peter is unable to fulfill his promise to Jesus? What happened between eating the Passover meal and Peter standing in the courtyard swearing he doesn’t know who Jesus is?
Peter wants to have the boldness to stand by Jesus. However, he doesn’t have the power on his own to stand with Jesus. When push comes to shove, he discovers how weak he really is. It is impossible for Peter to stand by his convictions on his own. Ever feel like Peter? You know what is right, and you want to do right. You just can’t will yourself to do the right thing when the time comes to do so. Maybe you think that you just need more willpower or discipline. Peter knows exactly what you feel like, and he even knows that there is a solution to your problem.
Peter Shows Boldness
In Acts 4 we find a completely different Peter. He no longer tries to hide his identity, or the fact that he knows Jesus.
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”” Acts 4:8-20 ESV
The Difference?
In Matthew, we see Peter talking to the commoners, people who were his peers. These people didn’t have any more power than Peter did, yet they terrified Peter. In Acts we find Peter talking to the religious leaders. It would be akin to us standing before the Supreme Court defending ourselves. The judges in the Supreme Court have the power to determine if we pay a huge penalty, go to jail, or even die. These religious leaders had similar power in those days. Peter finds himself before powerful people, but this time it’s a different story. This time Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t deny knowing Jesus, and in fact tells them that they know very well who Jesus is because it was they who killed Jesus. Those are fighting words!
The religious leaders are smart enough to not arrest Peter and John this time. They know if they do they would likely have a riot on their hands. Their solution is to demand that Peter and John stop talking about Jesus. What was their answer? “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” They basically say, “You decide if it is more important for us to listen to you or God. We, however, can not stay silent about what we have seen and heard.” That took an amazing amount of boldness and courage!
Be Bold!
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find myself not wanting to speak the truth because I am afraid it will cause an uproar with others. My fear is that if I speak up, even though I know it is true, I might be attacked. Fear of man is my enemy. It prevents me from standing firm in the truth of Jesus. Boldness comes from the Holy Spirit filling me everyday. Then I can be courageous and stand firm in the truth of Jesus. You my friend, also need the boldness from the Holy Spirit to tell those around you about Jesus.
It is time we stop living a life filled with fear of other people’s reactions. Get rid of the fear of man. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you each day. Then you will be able to speak the truth in love and tell a lost world all about the love of Jesus. We need to show people the love of Jesus and TELL them about his love. How will they know of the wonderful gift that Jesus offers if we refuse to tell them simply because we are afraid?
Remember that fear of man is a snare that ends up hurting the other person as well as yourself. Fear keeps you from living your best life. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you each morning, then live a life that reflects the boldness given to you. It will change your life and the lives of those around you!
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