“And Peter said, man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow thou shall deny me thrice”. – Luke 22:60-61(KJV)
Many preachers had preached the sermon on Peter’s denial of the Lord. Most Christian are quick to pass judgement on Peter for his denial which most condemned as betrayal. Even some of those unserious Christian can boast of their prowess in the light of Peter’s denial. I will like to ask. How many of us Christians can stand our ground when confronted with an option of death for our believe and faith? Even among fire spitting ground shaking ministers of God some will cow in when confronted with death on the issue of their believe. The other day I read of a young man whose parents were beheaded in his presence by the Boko Haram sect and when they confronted him he refused to deny Christ. He was hacked but God miraculously delivered him from death even when they have cut off his private part. The night I read that I couldn’t sleep but wept almost through the night as I continuously asked myself if I have the ability to stand like that young man. I wept because I realize that living in the comfort zone does not strengthen our Christian resolve.
Going through our reading for today I do not condemn Peter. Remember that at the time in question Peter and the other Disciples of Christ has not been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Also remember that Christ had earlier told Peter “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” – Luke 22:31(KJV). The bible said in Zechariah 4:6 And he answered and said to me”. This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts”. It takes the Holy Spirit to stand for Christ. That is why Christ asked the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that releases upon us the power to declare Jesus and to stand for him in the face of intimidation and threat of death. We need the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Boldness and of a sound mind.
This same Peter in our study today had chopped off the ear of one of the people who came to arrest Christ. Within the next nine hours he denied Christ. The arm of the flesh will always fail. The bible says “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”. The boldness that the Holy Spirit gives comes from within and is a product of LOVE. We will surely need the Holy Spirit who will empower us to run successfully our Christian race. May you run well and successfully.
Prayer: Father, baptize me with the Holy Ghost and with fire to fully equip me to declare you boldly wherever I go. In Jesus Name
Bro. Joel Ezeugo