YOU CAN DENY HIM . . . BUT WHY WOULD YOU?!

April 15, 2016

YOU CAN DENY HIM . . . BUT WHY WOULD YOU?!

Matthew 26:69–75

Robert McGowen

Central Truth

Even if we know Jesus as our savior, our flesh will be prone to deny the God who loves us. But, if we deny Jesus when times get difficult, it will lead to sorrow and heartache.

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)

Peter Denies Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Why did Peter “weep bitterly” after denying Jesus? He had three opportunities to change course. Didn’t he know what he was doing by the third time? But then I think of how many times a day I deny Jesus. Do I weep bitterly when I deny a God who loves me and is grieved by my sin?

About five years ago, God allowed some health challenges to enter my life. I can want to deny Jesus when times get tough. However, in His power, I am going to stand on truths that He has given me in His Word. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2), and "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

When this earthly life is easy and when it is hard, I pray I claim that Jesus reigns because He says, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My earthly father passed down his name to me, and I passed down that same name to my son. Imagine how much anguish I would feel if my son denied he had my name because he was uncomfortable, ashamed, or embarrassed to be identified with me. As a father, I want my son to be proud to call me dad, and, thus, proud of his name. I want him to look at his name and know who his father is. But how much more does my Heavenly Father want me to hold His name dear and proclaim it to the world? The Apostle Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . . .” (Romans 1:16) His love can't be denied. He wants to share that love with you!

1. When the world tells you that it's okay to deny Jesus, why don't you?

2. What are some truths that you cling to when times get tough?

3. What things do you do to hold firm to His name and proclaim it to the world?