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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 22, 2005 Peter’s Denial |
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FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2005 by
Fritz Foltz
Matthew
27: 69- 75
Peter bragged that he loves Jesus enough to lay down his life for him. However,
when accused of being one of Jesus’ followers, he denies three times that he
even knows him, the third time renouncing his friend with a curse. As the
rooster announces a new day, Peter breaks down and weeps bitterly. We weep for
him and with him. When it might prove embarrassing or dangerous, we too deny
that we know Jesus.
All Peter did was claim he did not know Jesus. He did not hurt anyone. And he
was alone surrounded by the enemy without any chance to help Jesus at all.
What’s so bad about that? Why remember that for 2000 years?
After all, Peter did not run away. He had the courage to follow the raiding
party all the way back to the high priest’s home. He enters enemy territory,
sits down with the guards and servants around the fire. He is there just in case
anything would come up to help Jesus. If nothing else, he could provide a
friendly face in the crowd to give Jesus some encouragement. There is not a
chance in hell he can do much more, like rescuing Jesus. He is firmly in the
hands of the enemy.
So what harm is there in telling the servant girl he does not understand what
she means? To admit he is one of Jesus’ followers will accomplish nothing.
Perhaps get him arrested as well, perhaps add another crucifixion the next day.
Isn’t it prudent to deny he knows Jesus?
Chances are his admitting he knew Jesus would provoke at the most ridicule.
There is no reason to make a fuss. Things are confusing enough. He does try to
calm things down by moving away from the fire to the gate. It is not his fault
that the girl follows, wanting to make her point. She tells the others, I assume
including the guards, that she is sure Peter was one of them. I doubt that the
guards would be too concerned. They were guarding the house. Certainly one
man did not threaten them. At the most, they would have chased him away.
What’s so bad about Peter’s claiming she was wrong? At least, he could stay
close, just in case. Perhaps he could fetch a drink for Jesus.
But people get carried away in tense situations when they think they are in
danger, even if they really are not. They begin to protect themselves. Peter is
clearly not one of the people usually at the house. He speaks and looks like a
Galilean. He probably was part of Jesus’ band. Things are getting touchier.
Doesn’t it make sense that Peter would become more emphatic? Isn’t he
justified in taking the name of the Lord in vain to make people back off? After
all, the curse was on himself. “May God damn me, if I know the man of whom you
speak”.
Why are we placing blame on Peter who is in danger? Why not be more concerned
with the false witnesses who are at the very moment twisting and misinterpreting
what Jesus says, deliberately lying to make a case for his death. Peter is doing
nothing that really harms Jesus.
If Peter spoke of his relationship to Jesus, his words would have stood against
the false witnesses. His words would set the truth straight, given support
to Jesus. There is no doubt they would not have bought his release, but they
would have made a witness. Words are powerful. It is true if he spoke up, he
might have faced arrest and death, he might have joined Jesus walking to the
place of execution, but his witness might have changed the hearts of some who
heard.
The Gospels claim we are to follow Jesus wherever he leads, even to the death.
We are to take up our cross and follow Jesus even to martyrdom. We are to stand
up for what we believe. We are to be faithful witnesses.
We all know Peter had no intention of continuing Jesus’ ministry when he
denied knowing him. His denial was a matter of the heart, signifying that he was
going into hiding in the future. He would return to the quiet life of a
fisherman. We know why he broke down and wept.
This Holy Week the rooster does not signify the beginning of a new day. The
rooster reminds us of the night when Peter and we have denied Jesus.
We deny Christ when we remain silent, because the people around us might think
we are silly, when we think our words might cause embarrassment. We deny Christ
when do not live by what we speak, especially when it could mean losing
something we have. Peter denied Christ, because his life was threatened. We deny
Christ, because our convenience and comfort is threatened. We both break down
and weep during Holy Week.
Let us pray: Forgive us, loving Father, for all those times when we remain
silent when speaking might have make a difference. Grant us the courage to
witness with courage, knowing that our words have powerful affects on others. We
pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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