When scripture warns us to be careful lest we drift away...do you think it’s possible we could wander off or drift away? (Heb. 2:1) 

 When scripture warns us to not be deceived ...do you think it’s possible that brethren could be deceived? ( James 2:16; Matt. 24:24-25; Eph. 5:6;) 

 When scripture warns us to not think we are standing firm lest we fall, ...do you think it’s possible we can become overly confident and end up... falling? (1 Cor. 10:12) 

 Peter discovered this to be true in one of his not so finer moments. Everybody knows about Peter’s denial. It’s recorded there in all four gospels for all the world to see. And this was before social media was a thing. 

 I find it ironic that it began around the subject of ‘dying’. 

 In Monday’s post, I wrote about how the early followers of Christ WERE the proof of a resurrected Savior who was now indwelling in them and it was evident to all by their transformed lives. We were reminded that before there can be a resurrection, there has to be a death. Seems like an obvious point, does it not? And Jesus came to demonstrate how this works...you know, obeying the Father in all things? Even to the point of dying on the cross. (Phil. 2:8) 

 We like to study His life and all that He did in the gospels. The part we seem to overlook so often is that bit where He then turns to us and basically says: “Ok....I just showed you how this is done...your turn now...take up your cross and follow Me.” 

 Wait. What? You mean...we have to ‘die’ also? That doesn’t sound like fun. 

 We sure love to ‘sing about the cross’ and decorate our homes with crosses. Many wear pretty pieces of jewelry in the form of the cross. Why some really dedicated folks these days get a cross tattooed on their bodies. That has to count for something, yes? What is not a popular message though is the idea of taking up our own cross and dying to self. 

 Towards the end of that post on Monday, I suggested you read that brief exchange between Jesus and Peter in John 21:18-19. But before we revisit that, I want to direct your attention back to an earlier exchange between the two in Matt.16. I’m hoping the Holy Spirit will bear witness to you as well some interesting irony here. It starts with Peter’s great revelation that leads to his ‘profession of faith’. Jesus had asked the group: “Who do you say that I am?” (16) 

 This is where Peter steps up and makes that famous announcement: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus seemed pleased. Kind of like we are when someone walks an aisle and makes their ‘profession of faith’. It is important to note here, that this is not a place or moment of ‘arrival’. Actually, it’s a place of beginning. We seem to miss that point in our doctrinal teachings. 

 Let’s read further down in vs. 21. Jesus begins to inform His disciples that He ‘must go’ to Jerusalem, and suffer many things...and be killed, and be raised on the third day.” 

 Peter must have missed that last part about being ‘raised on the third day’ because he immediately begins to protest this idea of Jesus having to die. 

 “No Way Lord...we won’t let that happen to You!” (my paraphrase) 

 To which Jesus turns and says to Peter: “Get thee behind Me, Satan! ...you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”(22) Can we just pause here a second and ask ourselves ..what do we find ourselves more mindful of these days...the eternal things of God’s kingdom...or the earthly, temporal things that easily consume our attention and affections? 

 Do you hear what Peter was trying to tell Jesus...or should I say, the devil speaking through Peter here? “You don’t have to die, Jesus! There are other ways you can please and honor God besides ‘dying’. That is so doom and gloom and unappealing.” 

 Sounds to me like ‘flesh’ talking, what say you? 

 It was not long afterwards in another exchange where Jesus warns them that “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night...” (Matt. 26:31). To which Peter...again...pops off: “Not me, Lord. Everyone else may stumble but I never will!” (I wanted to capitalize the “I” for emphasis, but it already is capitalized, so just make note of that if you would please.) 

 This is when Jesus says directly to Peter that this very night he will deny Him three times. (34). I find Peter’s response here interesting as well. – “Even IF...I have to die with you....I will not deny You!” (35). Sounds like this ‘dying’ thing is still questionable as in an ‘option’ maybe... “even if”? 

 Let’s try this one on for size...to Not ‘die with Him...is to deny Him’. 

 Here comes the part that, had there been internet at this time, would have received millions of ‘views’. Luke’s account gives more detail (22:54-62) -Jesus has been arrested and we read that ‘Peter followed at a distance’. (That does not really sound like ‘abiding’, does it?! It is now night time and there is a chill in the air as some locals ‘kindle a fire’ where Peter sat among them to warm himself. 

 Fires and heat...have an interesting way of bringing things to the surface, especially when a refining is taking place. 

 Some servant girl recognizes Peter...accuses him of being with Jesus and we know how this story plays out. Peter, who is no longer ‘abiding’ is now denying knowing Jesus. I mean, c’mon...we know Peter is a ‘believer’. But now his own safety and life is on the line. You have to be ‘wise’ or careful here, right? Reminds me of that passage in John 12:42 where it says “even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise/approval of men MORE than the praise of God.” 

 That certainly could never happen to us now, could it? (long dramatic pause here)... 

 This was Peter’s ‘crash and burn’ moment. Bless his heart...he sure tried to be faithful. But something got in the way. “I”. Who here reading today has not had a ‘crash and burn moment’ in their own life where you just flat fell on your face and failed God? And this leads to such a tender moment where we read in Mark 16 on that third morning after Jesus was buried, certain women came to the tomb where they are met by what must be an angel. His message is clear: “Jesus is risen...He’s not here...now go and tell His disciples....and Peter.” (7). “And Peter”. Especially Peter. He’s not in the best frame of mind these days. Let him know things are going to be OK. God knows how to raise up beauty from the ashes. But make no mistake about it...there has to be ashes before something beautiful can be raised up. There is no resurrection until there is a death. Fire and heat...is what brought out those hidden sins in Peter’s heart that he was blind to. He would later write to us all for our own encouragement- “think it not strange this fiery trial...” Go read that in 1 Pet. 4:12-13. 

 And now we end up at the exchange there in John 21:18-19 where Jesus tells Peter how (and I paraphrase here) when you were ‘young’, you did things ‘your’ way and went where you wanted to go and did what you wished. But a time eventually comes...if you want to continue on in this faith walk, where you have to let another One lead you. You will stretch forth your hands (in surrender) and be led where you (flesh) does not want to go. This- Jesus spoke signifying what ‘death he would glorify God’; and then this command: “Follow Me.” Gee…seems like we have heard that before. 

Yes...most theologians would point to this as a foretelling of how Peter would be martyred later on in his life...but let’s just peel back another layer here for a moment and see if the Holy Spirit does not reveal some more truth for us. Do you remember from John 15 what Jesus said about how the Father is glorified? vs. 8- “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples”. 

 What has to happen before a grain of wheat can produce fruit? (John 12:24-26). 

 See you tomorrow?