Matthew 26:74

New International Version (NIV)

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed.

For Meditation

Throughout his campaign, US President Donald Trump accused China of manipulating its currency to take advantage of the United States. But three months after his election, he is singing with a different tone. President Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, 12 April, 2017 that “They’re not currency manipulators.” So, what changed? Mr. Trump met the Chinese leader last week and maybe reality set in. Maybe Xi Jinping gave him an intensive course on Presidential Conduct 101 with a soft warning. Maybe Xi “manipulated” Mr. Trump to view the world’s political order in a new way. Whatever it is, this complete turnaround affirms that talk is cheap! Reality clears the fog. It is Peter’s heartache and regret.

Jesus warned him, but Peter was so sure of his love for the Master that he couldn’t imagine ever denying Him. “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death” (Lk. 22:33). “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Mk. 14:29). That same night, reality shocked him.

“You also were with the Jesus of Galilee.”

“I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.”

“This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I don’t know the man!”

Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

 “I don’t know the man!”And Peter rained curses on himself.

The roaster crowed. Jesus caught Peter’s eye, and he remembered the Master’s prediction: “Before the roaster crows today, you will disown me three times” (Lk. 22:61).

And He went outside and wept bitterly

Talk is indeed very cheap!

Peter’s problem and maybe ours too, is that he knew and loved the Lord too much; for he was the leader of the inner circle of three apostles around Jesus. However, knowledge and proximity to a leader often puff people up. And, as Solomon warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).

Second, Peter was very impetuous. His mouth often went ahead of his mind and frequently got him into trouble.

Third, he slept in the Garden of Gethsemane when he should have prayed. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Jesus warned (Matt. 26:41). The battle is won in the spirit, but Peter fought in the flesh (51).

Fourth, Peter followed Jesus “at a distance,” into the house of the high priest (Lk. 22:54). He feared arrest, the very thing he boasted about. His courage and boldness deserted him, and a servant girl’s voice ripped him apart, exposing his cowardice.

James had it right. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to be angry” (Ja. 1:19). Not easy; but prayer, alertness, and self-control are key drivers you can trust to hold you up. It’s part of your heritage from Calvary.

Shalom