4/14/25 Matthew 26:69-75 “Fear or Faith”
Have you ever wondered why Peter denied Jesus three times? He had been following Jesus for over three years. He had gotten to know Him pretty well. He probably loved Him a lot. But after Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Jesus at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard in order to see what would happen. While he was there, three times he was accused of being with Jesus or being His disciple. Three times Peter lied, saying he did not know what they were talking about and that he did not even know the man. After the third denial, the rooster crowed and Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter was devastated and went out and wept bitterly. He realized that, in spite of his self confidence earlier that evening, he had really messed up.
The logical reason that Peter denied Jesus is that he was afraid. He feared what the Jewish leaders would do if they connected him with the one who was called the King of the Jews. He may or may not have been wrong about the Jewish leaders, but definitely he neglected to focus on the fact that God was with him and that He would help him as Peter trusted Him. Genuine faith helps us to be victorious even in the face of fear. Weeks later, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter grew in His faith and showed great boldness, even when the Jewish leaders were targeting him.
Being afraid is common. Many of us have phobias. But David put it well in Psalm 56:3. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
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