"Predictions of Peter's Denial Come True"

Matthew 26:69-72: Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied it before them all, saying, I do not know what you are saying. And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, This fellows also was with Jesus of nazareth. But again he denied with an oath, I do not know the Man!

A maid servant, who had been eyeing him, came boldly up to Peter and charged him with having been in the company of Jesus of Galilee. Taken unawares, he did not have the courage to confess that it was indeed true. On the contrary, he denied before them all, insiting that he knew nothing of what was being said.

Peter moves out onto the porch where he is challenged by another maid who exclaimed: This fellows was also with Jesus of Nazareth." With an oath Peter again denied all knowledge of theMan who was enduring such suffering inside the high priest's palace. In an oath, one calls on God as his witness. Think about that. God was inside being mistreated by man, and God's best friend is outside invoking the Name of God to witness to the fact that Peter did not know the Lord.

Reading this, I would have only the darkest thoughts regarding the future of Peter. Today, a young couple married four years ago called me and in the screams given, I picked up that a divorce was imminent. The reasons from one side were nothing different than what is to be expected in the early years of any marriage. Yet, the other side stated that they had been totally betrayed as the spouse had been unfaithful.

Peter had in a real sense called for a divorce from the service of the Lord. He saw that continuing a relationship with Christ was too dangerous. This theme will continue tomorrow.

Have you ever denied the Lord. God never desires divorce, only reconciliation. If you feel alienated from God right now, come to Him in contrition and ask that He would begin a work of restoration in you. God is able to do more than we ask or think!