Reading: Matthew chapter 26 verses 31 to 35 & 60 to 75.
Every one of us in life has faced the harsh reality of failure:
• Whether it’s your first step as a child,
• Your first attempt to ride a bike.
• Maybe it was an exam or interview;
• Maybe it was a job or a relationship.
• Or maybe something that you continually have problems with such as;
• Controlling your temper, sticking to a diet or maybe certain habits you wish to give up!
• Every one of us has faced FAILURE.
• Quote the novelist Joseph Conrad: “It’s only those who do nothing that make no mistakes”.
• Mistakes of course are part of life;
• And some of us seem to make more than others!
Quote:
• One wit has written:
• “A dentist’s mistake is pulled out,
• A lawyer’s mistake is imprisoned.
• A teacher’s mistake is failed,
• A printer’s mistake is corrected.
• A pharmacist’s mistake is buried.
• A postman’s mistake is forwarded.
• An electrician’s mistake could be shocking!”
God can make something even out of our mistakes;
• Peter the apostle is a classic example of that!
• Of all the disciples, none stands as front and centre as Peter.
• Peter dominates every scene he's in.
• i.e. Have you noticed his name is always first whenever there is a lists of disciples?
THERE ARE OF COURSE TWO WAYS TO VIEW EVERY SITUATION:
Ill:
A preacher was opening his mail one morning.
• Drawing a single sheet of paper from an envelope he found written on it only one word:
• "FOOL".
• The next Sunday he announced,
• "I have known many people who have written letters and forgot to sign their name.
• "But this week I received a letter from someone who signed his name
• And had forgotten to write a letter."
You can look at every situation in two ways:
• And you can of course look at the life of Peter in two ways;
• Impetuous failure or courageous follower.
• Peter was a man who was very strong willed, passionate, and expressive.
• He did nothing half-heartedly.
• When it came to fishing he was determined and sometimes obnoxious;
• When it came to friendships he was loyal to the core, blindly courageous,
• At certain times he was over confident, which caused him to overstate his commitment.
• But if necessary he was prepared to stand-alone!
• He may have made;
• Promises with his mouth that his body would be unable to keep.
• But Peter also demonstrated faith that none of the other disciples dared to do!
• Ill: Remember it was Peter & ONLY Peter who actually walked on the water!
Quote: C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed:
• “You never know how much you really believe anything;
• Until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death.
• It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong;
• As long as you are merely using it to cord a box.
• But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice.
• Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?
• Peter was willing to put his faith into action;
• To put his belief into practice.
• Maybe that’s why Peter was not just one of the twelve:
• He was spokesman for the twelve; whether they liked it or not!
Ill:
• A book I don’t think you can get at Keith Jones Bookshop is called
• “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook.”
• And it’s just a manual, written in quite a factual tone,
• Based on interviews with experts in a variety of fields.
• It has reached number one best-selling status as a non-fiction paperback book.
• The back cover lists some of the books various sections.
• How to fend off a shark,
• How to take a punch,
• How to deliver a baby in a taxicab,
• How to survive a poisonous snake attack,
• How to jump from a moving car,
• How to identify a bomb,
• How to escape from Killer Bees,
• How to survive if your parachute fails to open and dozens of other dire situations.
• In fact there ones section called
• What should you do if confronted by an angry mountain lion?
The options are:
• 1, run;
• 2, play dead;
• 3, hold your coat open like a cape;
• 4, sing a gentle, happy song.
• OK, shall we have a show of hands, how thinks its 1, 2, 3, 4.
• The correct answer according to the “Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook” is No 3;
• The idea is that by holding your coat open your make yourself look bigger;
• You have more chance of intimidating the lion or at least looking to big to swallow.
Quote: This is what the authors say,
• “The principle behind this book is a simple one.
• You just never know.
• You never really know what life will throw at you,
• You never know what is sitting around the corner.
• You never really know when;
• You might be called upon to choose life or death with your actions.
• But when you are called, you need to know what to do.
• That’s why this book is written”.
Even if Peter had memorised the entire book, I don’t think that:
• He would have been prepared for what was about to happen to him!
• He was totally unprepared for what was sitting around the corner.
Peters first denial (vs 69-70)
The accusation:
“Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.
"You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.”
• The accusation came from a servant girl who recognised Peter as one of the disciples of Jesus.
• Don’t forget that Jesus was a public celebrity,
• Everyone wanted to meet him,
• Everyone hoped to see a miracle or hear some of the wisdom that came from his lips.
• And so anyone who had encountered Jesus,
• Would also have encountered his disciples, especially, Peter, James & John.
Peter’s reply (Vs 70):
But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.”
• It was an unfortunate statement because Peter was now committed to telling lies.
• One small step in the direction of evil can often lead to others.
Ill:
Top lies people tell:
• One report states that each of us fibs at least 50 times a day.
• It went on to explain that we lie about our age, our income, or our accomplishments.
• I wasn’t feeling well.
• The check is in the post.
• I’ll start my diet tomorrow.
• Give me your number and the doctor will call you right back.
• One size fits all.
• This hurts me more than it hurts you.
• I just need five minutes of your time.
• Your table will be ready in a few minutes.
• Open wide, it won’t hurt a bit.
• Let’s have lunch sometime.
• It’s not the money, it’s the principle.
• In Church number one lie: – “Of course I will pray for you!”
WE OFTEN DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THIS INCIDENT:
• And probably rightly so, because it was a shameful act.
• But every coin has two sides.
• And for Peter this incident was both an act of cowardice,
• But also an act of courage!
Peter displays tremendous courage to put himself in this situation:
• Remember as far as we know all the other disciples forsook Jesus and fled,
• Peter refused to do so.
• He followed Jesus,
• Even after his arrest, because he could not tear himself away from his Lord.
• True, he failed; but he failed in a situation:
• Which none of the other disciples even dared to face.
• He failed, not because he was a coward,
• But because he was brave.
• The first thing to remember about Peter is not his failure,
• But the courage which kept him near to Jesus when everyone else had run away.
Peter failed in difficult circumstances,
• This is a Peter acting out of character,
• Physically tired & emotionally shattered by the sudden events of the night.
• He is cold, frightened and alone and caught completely off guard.
• And sadly Peter cracks under the pressure:
• Notice: that ‘the straw that broke the camels back’;
• Or the fisherman’s courage!
• Was not a Roman soldier or what we might call a formidable enemy;
• It was a servant girl!
Key thought No 1: Presumption
Ill:
In 1912 the "unsinkable" Titanic was launched in Liverpool, England.
• The ship was considered to have been so well constructed;
• It was believed she could sustain any amount of damage and still remain afloat.
• Late on the night of April 14, 1912,
• The sinking of the Titanic proved this idea wrong in a horribly tragic way.
• So proud and confident were the owners of the ship,
• That it was loaded with only enough lifeboats to hold half of the Titanic passengers.
• The management was concerned that too many boats would sully the aesthetic beauty of the ship.
• So poor were the safety precautions;
• That lifeboats were lowered to the waters only half-full.
The White Star Line was the company that built the Titanic:
• Owned by J.P. Morgan, an American tycoon, and sailed by Captain Smith.
• Assumed they were unsinkable – sadly they were not! They were caught off guard!
Likewise Peter, thought he was unsinkable and he to was caught off guard:
• He made promises that he could not keep;
• And he too turned into a sad and pathetic disaster!
• When it came to the crunch, he lost courage and failed!
• Verse 70: "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.”
Quote 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 12:
“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!”
• Peter’s greatest strength was also his greatest point of weakness,
• Peter was too self-confident.
Ill:
• A noted brain surgeon, Dr. Bronson Ray,
• Was taking a stroll when he saw a boy on a scooter smash headfirst into a tree.
• Realizing that the boy was seriously injured,
• The doctor told a bystander to call an ambulance.
• As he proceeded to administer first aid,
• A boy not much older than the injured one;
• Nudged his way through the crowd that had gathered and said to Dr. Ray,
• “I’d better take over now, sir. I’m a Boy Scout and I know first aid,”
Peter like that boy:
• Should have submitted to the master, the expert, the one in charge;
• Sadly he did not, his best proved to be second best, just not good enough!
(2). The second denial of Peter (vs 71-72):
The accusation:
“Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
It seems highly embarrassed and frustrated:
• Peter tries to get out of the building;
• Scared that at any moment a temple guard might come and arrest him too.
• Maybe he was frightened;
• That someone would recognise him as the one who cut off Malchus’s ear.
When you read all the gospel accounts:
• It would seem Peter was in the roofless courtyard;
• Warming himself by the Fire (Mark 14:54).
• He wanted to leave in a hurry,
• But before he can escape a second servant girl, draws every ones attention to Peter.
Peter’s reply (Vs 70):
“He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"”
• Notice Peter’s description of Jesus, ‘The man’.
• As if Jesus was a complete stranger to him.
• Full of rage and frustration Peter adds something extra to his first denial;
• “With an oath”, he begins to deny his connection with Jesus.
Key thought No 2: Fear
Quote: Proverbs chapter 29 verse 25:
“The fear of man brings a snare”
Ill;
• Trapped animal in a snare is a pathetic site;
• Unable to move and the more it tries to free itself the more damage it causes.
• Sad that many do not trust Christ because of what their friends will say.
• Even sadder that many do not witness for Christ because of what their friends will say.
Ill:
• When a small boy came home from Sunday School,
• His father asked him what he had learned that day.
• The little boy replied,
• "The teacher taught us about the children of Israel escaping from Egypt,
• And when they came to the Red Sea they had a problem;
• So they pumped up their inflatable boats so they could get away from Pharaoh’s soldiers."
• "Now wait a minute," said Dad. "Is that really the way it happened?"
• The little boy replied, "No, but if I told it the way she did, you’d never believe it!"
Peter’s fear and sticky situation:
• Is because he failed to heed the words and warnings of Jesus;
• Earlier in the chapter (verses 31-35).
• Instead of allowing the terror of Jesus’ prediction to hit home!
• He ended up fearing other people.
(3). The third denial of Peter (vs 73-75):
The accusation (vs 74):
“After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"
Immediately a rooster crowed.
Having been refused exit, Peter returns to the open courtyard:
• So it would seem Peter’s first two denials took place during Christ’s appearance before Annas;
• Now the situation changes slightly.
• Peter’s third denial takes place while Jesus has been brought before Caiaphas;
• And the entire Sanhedrin.
Luke in his gospel (chapter 22 verse 59) tells us that an hour elapses.
• During this interval of an hour the news about Peter has been spreading;
• The other gospels make it clear some have been talking about him, others to him.
• Now the crowd standing by the fire begin to turn on Peter.
• Accusations are flying in from every side.
• Jesus and his disciples were Galilean’s (Northerners);
• Jerusalem is in the south and so it was full of southerners.
• Every time Peter opens his mouth he drops himself in it;
• Those around the fire are quick to point this out “Your accent gives you away."
Peter’s reply (Vs 74-75):
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"
Immediately a rooster crowed.
75 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.”
• The word ‘Cursing’ here does not mean bad language,
• That is four letter swear words that people might use today
• Peter most likely swore an oath to try and protect himself;
• Something like; “May God strike me down if I am lying”
• And sadly the longer and louder this northerner talked;
• The more he was convincing his audience “I am a liar!”
Without doubt this has to be Peter’s worst moment:
• Verse 74 contains those heartbreaking words:
• “Immediately a cock crowed.”
• Peter once again denied knowing Jesus; and the cock started to crow,
• Precisely as Jesus had predicted in verse 34.
Note:
• Although that expression seems quite straight forward,
• There are two interpretations as to what that expression means:
• (1). It can mean a bird of the feathered variety.
• (2). It may mean a Roman military practice.
Ill:
The Romans had a certain military practice.
• The night was divided into four watches;
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. to 12 midnight, 12 midnight to 3 a.m., and 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.
• After the third watch the guard was changed,
• And to mark the changing of the guard there was a trumpet call at 3 a.m.
• The word for that at trumpet call in Latin and in Greek;
• Both mean cockcrow.
• It may well be that Jesus said to Peter:
• “Before the trumpet sounds the cockcrow you will deny me three times.”
Either interpretation makes no difference:
• Jesus had said that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crew.
• And three times Peter did!
Key thought No 3: Foreknowledge
• Verse 74 contains those heartbreaking words:
• “Immediately a cock crowed.”
• "And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
• ‘Wept bitterly” words that I believe are words or tears that show repentance:
Note: That all this happened precisely as Jesus had predicted:
• Luke in his gospel chapter 22 verse 61:
• Says Peter could look to where Jesus was being mocked and tried.
• At this very moment Jesus looks across to Peter and stares straight into his eyes.
• There is a dramatic contrast in these few verses:
• Jesus on trial stands up to his questioners and denies nothing.
• Peter cowers before his questioners and denies everything!
• So as Jesus testifies faithfully;
• Peter denies pathetically.
But although Peter failed tragically:
• That crowing of the cock was an incredible assurance to Peter,
• That even though Jesus was bound and being harassed by the authorities.
• It was an assurance that Jesus was totally in control of the situation,
• By controlling one bird (bugle blast), Jesus affirmed His sovereignty.
Ill:
• Peter had seen Jesus exercise authority over the fish (Luke 5:1-11; Matt. 17:24-27),
• And the animals (Matt. 21:1-11);
• But now he recognized His authority over the birds or a Roman time-keeper.
Peter had the assurance that failure need not be the end.
• Peter was the designated leader of Jesus,
• Renamed by Jesus from Simon to Peter, he was going to be a rock, solid and dependable.
• He had not only heard the teachings of Jesus,
• But had been given a special word of warning (Luke chapter 22 verse 31)
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
• Peter had been a first hand witness of the sufferings of Christ,
• And by his own denials he added to those sufferings.
When Jesus needed Peter most:
• Three times he publicly and emphatically said; “I don’t know Jesus”
• And he turned his back and walked away!
But the cockcrowing was also an invitation to repentance.
• Symbolically remember that the crowing of the cock was an announcement:
• It announced the dawning of a new day!
• Peter had failed badly;
• BUT with a new day came a new opportunity to repent and therefore a new hope.
Note: It is worthwhile to contrast Peter and Judas:
• Peter wept over his sins and repented,
• While Judas admitted his sins but never really repented.
• Judas experienced remorse,
• Peter repentance.
• When Judas went out from the Upper Room, “It was night” (John 13:30);
• But when Peter went out to weep bitterly, there was the dawning of a new day.
• For us as with Peter,
• Failure need not be final.
Ill:
Wellington defeated!
