2015.9.13 礼拝

2015.9.13 礼拝

2015.9.13 John 18:15-18 “What to do before ‘you deny’, after ‘you deny’

15.Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16.but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

17.Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciple, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18.Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

Peter and the disciples were determined to go along with Jesus even to death as seen in:

John 11:16 Then Thomas (called the Twin) said to his fellow disciples, “Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him!”
John 13:37 “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?” asked Peter. “I am ready to die for you!”
Matthew 26:35 Peter answered, “I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Their determination was not just a rash reaction but was sincere. Yet, when Jesus was arrested, all the disciples except Peter and one other followed Jesus. Then Peter denied Jesus three times and the rooster crowed as Jesus had told him.

This was the weakness of Peter for which we cannot blame Peter since we all have the same weakness.

What should we do before we say “I don’t know”?

1. Make sure you are not being stubborn.
When Peter said, “I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!” (Matthew 26:35) he believed it and meant it but actually he denied.

God knew and planned all this as he did the betrayal of Judah. Judah’s betrayal brought forth the crucifixion of Jesus. At the same time, we see Peter being stubborn when he refused to accept what Jesus said about denying him.

2. Check whether you have been preoccupied with your own thoughts.
The other disciples had fled but Peter was too busy about himself and had believed he was not the same as the others. Jesus did not wish to have Peter die with him but had other plans – to love one another.

John 13:14 I, your Lord and Teacher have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet.
John 15:13 The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.

Peter’s determination to follow Jesus to the end was meant to be good, however, it was for his own sake and belief that he was doing good. He was too busy thinking about himself and not about the others.

Therefore, we should make sure that what we do is being just for our own satisfaction or is it what the other person appreciates.

What should we do after we have said, “I don’t know”?

3. Acknowledge your own weakness.
We may have learned and know what we have to do from the Bible – love one another, wash one another’s feet, forgive your enemy and on and on. But our stubbornness may withhold us from washing the feet of others who we don’t get along with or refuse to forgive unless the other apologizes.

And when we try to justify our selfish opinion and force it on others, it would cause unfavorable relations with God and others. We must realize there is so much we know but unable to put them into practice. The important thing is to acknowledge that we have weaknesses.

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.

When Peter realized what Jesus said was right, he wept bitterly. Without this incident, Peter may not have grown spiritually. Through his betrayal, Peter was able to know God’s love better. Since God knows our weaknesses, Jesus prayed for our faith.

We are told to strengthen our brothers who are undergoing the same difficulties once we turn back to Christ because we should be able to understand their problems better.

Through Peter’s failure, we have been given encouragement and we learn to think more of other people.