Would You Deny Him?

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 

                                                                                (Mark 14:26-31 KJV)

"I will not deny thee" is one of the saddest statements that we hear from the scriptures. In fact we know that Peter did deny him as he was being interrogated and persecuted for our sakes. Peter had been a faithful follower of Jesus; yet, he denied that he even knew him.

It causes us to wonder what we would have done if we had been there. Would we have denied him to save our own skins? What about today? How often do we actually deny that we know Jesus? How often do we miss opportunities to testify to his great love for us? How often do we neglect to tell others what he has done for us.

"I will not deny thee" is such a sad statement to hear because we know that we are not so different from Peter. Although many have stood firm and died declaring that Jesus is our Savior; the question haunts us. Would we?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Denying Jesus

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matt 26:31-35 NIV)

The Lord knows that Peter is not going to keep this promise. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today, people around the world are persecuted; they are threatened with torture and even death for His sake. We may wonder how Peter, who knew Jesus so intimately, could desert him? But, what about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to consider dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have to die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

Consider too, this day, how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we have left undone. Does the way that we choose to live, in itself, deny that Jesus is our Lord?

May God help us to follow the Good Shepherd wherever he may lead us. Never denying, always affirming that he is our Lord and Savior. He is our King!

God's Peace - Pr. J