Read John 18:15-18; 25-27

"Art not thou also one of His disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not." John 18:25

Are you a disciple of Jesus? What would you answer if a "yes" could mean arrest and possibly even death? Peter had just witnessed the arrest of Jesus by armed soldiers. He had foolishly struck the servant of the high priest with a sword and cut off his ear. Now, he was in the enemy camp, so to speak-in the courtyard of the high priest and warming himself at their fire. He had come to see what would happen to Jesus (cf. Matt. 26:58), but now he was being challenged and accused of being one of Jesus' disciples. Three times this happened, and three times Peter denied knowing or following Jesus. Peter, who had earlier the same night stated that he was ready to die with Jesus, now had denied his Lord three times (cf. John 13:36-38). What would you have done?

These events in the life of Peter prove and illustrate the truthfulness of the Scriptures when they say: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12; cf. 10:1-13). If we rely upon ourselves, upon our own strength or determination, we will fail. Don't do it! Don't boast in yourself and what you will, or will never, do! But if we place our confidence in the Lord, He will make us stand. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8). We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us (cf. Philippians 4:13).

It is a serious thing to deny our Lord, yet we do it more often than we think. We tend to sneak into the enemy camp-out into the world-and go to school and do our work and hide the fact that we are Christians. We are careful not to talk about Jesus and His Word, lest people be offended and maybe even speak evil of us. But consider these words of our Lord Jesus: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38). Will Jesus be ashamed of you?

It was a grievous sin which Peter committed in the courtyard of the high priest, but we too are oft times guilty of the same. Peter repented. "He went out, and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75); but rather than despairing, as Judas did (Matthew 27:3ff.; cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10), Peter also trusted that Jesus would forgive him. Indeed, the Lord is "good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon" Him (Psalm 86:5). Jesus died for Peter's sin, for our sins, and for the sins of the whole world (cf. 1 John 2:1-2). After His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Him; and Jesus reaffirmed Peter's call as an apostle (John 21:15ff.).

We too ought be moved to sorrow over our denials of Jesus-of being ashamed of Him and His words "in this adulterous and sinful generation." But we can also be assured that when we turn to Jesus for forgiveness, He cleanses away our sins and receives us as His own dear children (cf. 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1-2). And when we trust in Jesus and His working in us rather than in ourselves and our own strength, He will enable us to boldly follow Him!

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for denying You and being ashamed of You and Your words in this adulterous and sinful generation. Cleanse our hearts, fill us with Your Spirit, and enable us to boldly confess You before men. Amen.

Devotions