Peter Breaks (Post 10)

Breaking points ... we all have them.  Accounts I have read of POWs and torture are horrific - breaking points.  Or a relationship between a man and a woman, both married to others, begins and goes on and on and is fed and is fed until a line is crossed than cannot be uncrossed - breaking points.  When hurricanes blow onto the Gulf coast, if you are in the target line, there is a moment in time when you need to evacuate.  If you wait ... just a little longer ... you may find yourself unable to leave - breaking points.

Peter hit one that night of Jesus' arrest.  He didn't expect it.  He thought he was immune to that sort of thing.  He believed himself to be stronger than that.

Read Luke 22: 54 - 62

Some observations as we consider this most sobering event in the life of our man, Peter.

1.  We have already addressed that Peter was so vulnerable because he had not taken Jesus' warnings to heart.  I don't think it was rebellion.  He just could not see the possibility.  So the warnings from Jesus fell on unresponsive ears.  

Application:  One of the questions we should take to every passage of scripture we read is, "Is there a warning here to heed?"  If you find one, wisdom would say "HEED IT - TAKE IT TO HEART!"  Never assume that you are beyond the reach of that warning - you're stronger than that - you're smarter than that, etc.  Heed the warning.  

2.  We also have already addressed the fact that Jesus told Peter to "watch and pray" to guard himself from temptation.  Again, Peter did not take the instruction to heart.  He was tired.  

Application:  Do not let a day go by without the prayer "lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil" crossing your mind and lips to the Father.  

3.  Peter was trying to blend into the crowd.  He wanted to be there - to see what was happening to his Lord - but he certainly did not want to stand out.  His first denial that night was denying who HE was.  

Application:  Are you a believer?  Do you try to look and sound and behave just like the world so that you won't stand out - or be ridiculed - or singled out?  Oh, I don't mean really evil, ugly stuff ... just a little worldly.  Be careful.  If you deny your own identity - it is not a stretch before you will deny Jesus himself.

4.  When we deliberately begin a sin - the fall into deeper levels of the same sin comes quickly.  Peter  began with just denying that he had any relationship with "the man" and ends up swearing and cursing that he had no part at all with any of them!  

Application:  Take sin seriously.  Can we shrug off what our culture, even our current religious culture, classifies as "small sins"?  Or had we best pay attention to even the small ways we violate the holiness of God?  Immediate repentance.  Keep very short accounts with God!

5.  When you do fall, because we all do and will, follow the  example of Peter.  Hear the "cock  crow"; experience the gaze of the love of your Lord as it penetrates your very soul.  Immediately,   Peter "remembered the word of the Lord."  Yes, he remembered the warning of the rooster crowing and the denial.  But do you think he also remembered that Jesus had said, "Simon, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers"?  

Application:  Repentance matters.  In fact, it is crucial.  It plays the primary role in the different destinies of Peter and Judas.  Yes, weep bitterly over your sin ... but never forget to remember the word of the Lord:

"If we confess our sins to Him, 

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all wickedness."  

(1 John 1:9  NLT)

Now is a good time ...