"Who Denied Jesus?"

N.T.#294 "Who Denied Jesus?"

April 30 

Matthew 26-Part 17

LET IT GLOW 

Previously, verse 67 told us Jesus was spit upon, hit with a fist (buffeted), and slapped (smote). 

Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? (verse 68)

They violently abused, mocked, and ridiculed Jesus, yet He did not return the same. Isaiah 53:7-8 predicted this would happen to Him. Jesus did not open His mouth to answer nor rebuke the Sanhedrin. It was due to the rebellion of the Jews that Jesus suffered, yet it was for us Gentiles, too. We cannot meat God's standards of being good, for we all sin and come short.

1 Peter 2:21-23 says, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.

Christ suffered for us, in our behalf and instead of us. He left us an example to follow His humility, following exactly in clear footprints. Jesus suffered as the Servant of Jehovah, which will happen to us if and when we suffer as a servant of God. He left revenge to God, not taking it up Himself.

Have you suffered for being a believer in Jesus Christ? We have a Savior who understands our sufferings. Take your burdens to Him.

LET IT GROW 

Did you know that those trials before Annas and Caiaphas, as well as the Sanhedrin, were illegal:

Annas had no jurisdiction, the trials were held at night, Jesus was abused during the trials, they used false witnesses, there was no formal charge (just blaspheme), and it was an improper voting.(Luke 22)

The fourth trial was held before Pilate, governor of Judea from 26-36 AD. Matthew 27 tells us about it.

However, Matthew inserted Peter's three denials during the trial proceedings. He sat in the courtyard or outside the palace. We read it in verse 69-75:

1. The first denial involved a girl identifying Peter and John, maybe from an earlier meeting. You were with Jesus of Galilee. Peter said, I know not what thou sayest..(verse 69-70)
2. When Peter went out to the porch, another girl saw him and said, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. (verse 71) Again Peter denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 
3. In less than an hour, some stood by Peter and accused him of being one of them because his speech gave him away. I know not the man. (verse 73)

Immediately the rooster crowed. Peter remembered Jesus told him that would happen, denying Jesus 3 times before the cock crowed thrice. (Luke 22:61)

And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. (verse 61) Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:62)

Don't you know his sin cut out Peter's heart. He could not take back the three denials of knowing Jesus. Later, Jesus made Peter publicly confess three times that he love his Lord. (John 21:15-19)

Have we been like Peter? Maybe we have not denied Jesus with words, but with our lifestyle?

LET IT GO

Please for me Gracious Lord Jesus when I do not keep my mouth shut at the proper time.

Please forgive me when I do not proclaim You as Savior at the proper time.

Please forgive my lifestyle when it does not honor you, nor my words.