Warned

Matthew 26: 31 – 35

Pre-warned but not pre-wise

31 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.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Today we are going to see some very remarkable insights from our Precious Holy Spirit. Going over these scripture verses I can see a unique fact come out. We are all aware of Peter’s denial 3 times of his knowledge and association with The Lord Jesus Christ but today we are going to witness how our Lord Jesus warned Peter that in three ways Satan was about to seriously test him. He was prewarned, but he was not pre-wise in accepting the Lord’s words. Peter wasn’t listening.

Sin takes its root in the heart. We are all familiar with Peter’ three acts in denying the Lord but I want to point out to you that these denials were already formulated beforehand. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 we read about the Lord’s question to His disciples about exactly Who did they think He Is? Peter speaks up and declares that our Lord Jesus Is truly The Son of God. Our Lord then in front of the others says that Father God had spoke to Peter to reveal this truth. Victory, success, or recognition can be the fertile ground in which Pride can develop. In this case Satan saw an opportunity and influenced Peter’s remarks to our Lord’s announcement of His upcoming death on the cross. Let’s look at these passages.

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[d] in heaven.” 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Let’s first look at Peter’s situation. In today’s verses we read of the Lord’s interaction with Peter.

31 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.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Mark who heard first hand from Peter what transpired said this in chapter 14 where it talks about the Last Supper, 27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” 30 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” 31 But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.