Day 29

His arrest and crucifixion...

Matthew 26:69-75 NIV84

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Where is Peter? How does Peter deal with the pressure of this situation? Can you identify with Peter's denials? Have you failed to stand up for Jesus in some form or fashion? on one occasion or more?

As Jesus is interrogated by the Sanhedrin, Peter is questioned in the courtyard. Jesus, He does not sin, He does not lie, He does not deny, He does not give into fear. But He knows the temptation --- He knows what it is to bear the full weight of injustice. How did Peter react when he recognized what he had done?

We, like Peter, have the tendency to give into fear. We lie, we deny, we succumb to the pressure. Peter immediately recognized his sin and wept bitterly. But too often we continue to deny, justify, make excuses for our sin, refusing to weep bitterly and experience godly sorrow. Can you identify with Peter in his bitter weeping? or are you still denying?

Father God, keep my heart tender to sin. Help me to remember that when I fail, I have a Savior who sympathizes with my weakness. Do not allow me to harden my heart with excuses and denial. Bless me with the humility to embrace my sin, weep bitterly, and seek Your forgiveness.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV84