March 19
Peter's Denial of Christ
The Christian's Daily PortionThen began he to curse and swear saying, I know not the the man.—Matthew 26:74.
WE have already witnessed the desertion of Jesus in the hour of his arrestment, by all his disciples. It appears however, that Peter rather lingered in the distance, followed afar off, and ultimately, went to the hall of the palace of the High Priest, doubtless, to see what would be the conclusion of the matter. Here his appearance attracted attention, and he was challenged as being one of Christ's disciples. To this he gave a sort of evasive denial, when shortly afterwards, another maid saw him and said, that he "was surely with Jesus," to this he gave a direct denial which he confirmed by an oath. A third time being charged by several of those who stood by, he manifested the most violent passion, and "began to curse and swear saying, I know not the man." Here then we perceive the blessed Saviour disowned with wicked imprecations, by one of the chief and most favoured of his disciples. Peter who had always received an especial degree of attention from Christ, who had been with him on the Holy Mount of transfiguration, who had witnessed the agony in the garden, who had seen the rude officers fall to the ground by the sound of his voice, now denies having any knowledge at all of him.
On a previous occasion he had witnessed a noble confession of Christ, he had declared his readiness to die for him, he had averred, although all men forsook him yet he never would; in the garden too, he had been precipitately ready to draw his sword, and had actually cut off the ear of Malchus, yet now he is bereft of all his courage, now all his resolutions are forgotten, and violently with iniquitous curses and oaths, denies having any knowledge of Christ. What an exhibition of human weakness! How weak and helpless are the best of men when relying on their own strength. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool—we should pray, “Lord hold thou us up, and we shall be safe.”
“Beware of Peter’s word, Nor confidently say, I never will deny thee Lord, But grant I never may.”