Undeniable

Read This Week: John 18

The other disciple, known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there, and brought Peter inside. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples, too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. – John 18:16-18 NIV

Denial is one of the classic defense mechanisms, or a psychological strategy often used unconsciously by people to cope with a harmful or stressful situation. By definition, denial happens when an individual refuses to recognize or acknowledge objective facts or experiences. Psychology Today claims that it is an unconscious process that protects the person from discomfort or anxiety. All of this is a lot of fancy language for the inability to face the truth or its consequences.

Spiritually speaking, denial is the unwillingness to accept what is real and true. It comes from our sinful nature and the propensity to look out for ourselves and seek the preservation of self above all. It doesn’t matter who we are or where we’re from; we react similarly when our well-being, reputation, or interests are threatened. Denial can negate sensibility, confidence, and determination among the boldest people, bringing us to the disciple Peter in John 18.

Peter gained a reputation among the disciples as the reckless one full of passion and zeal for the way of the gospel and Jesus in particular. He was known to make audacious claims about his loyalty to Christ and his willingness to follow the Lord into death. Jesus often countered these assertions, and the fiery disciple would often be left humbled by a rebuke or a gentle exhortation. No admonishment after a bold claim by Peter is starker and more cringe-worthy than the one that plays out in this chapter. At the Lord’s Supper, after Jesus predicts that someone will betray him, the following occurs:

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly, I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:33-35 NIV)

John then records the accuracy of Jesus’ prediction and the sobering moment for Peter and all of us in this passage. Peter has already denied that he is a follower and disciple of Christ two times outside of where Jesus is standing trial and then inexplicably does it again. Verse 27 says: Again Peter denied it, and at that moment, a rooster began to crow.

This scene is brutal for the passionate disciple and one from which we can all learn. It reminds us that it is more important to be strengthened in our faith and resolve than in our claims about piety. It shows that our good intentions are nothing more than that if we do not ask God for the ability to follow through. It demonstrates that while passion and emotion are natural and necessary components of our walk with God, they are not more valuable than spiritual discipline and devotion.

The beautiful end to the story is that Peter was redeemed and forgiven. After he saw Jesus post resurrection, he went on to proclaim the gospel with bravery and power that shook a continent for Christ. That’s because the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel is undeniable even when people try to deny it.

May the Holy Spirit empower us with the courage to stand up for Jesus and be counted with those who are called by His grace to serve and live for Him. May we choose affiliation with righteousness than fellowship with darkness. May God strengthen our hearts and guide our words in this day and age to express faith in moments when it would be easier to stay quiet.

5 Comments

  1. Jeri Centers on January 10, 2023 at 8:08 pm

    John 18
    Jesus understood why He came to earth,
    and God wanted Him to do, and He did it!!
    That is the example that we are to follow.
    Jesus example sums up what it means
    To obey the word of God.

    Gods saying

    As role as disciples of Jesus is
    To understand what God wants us
    To do, and then do it with no hesitation.

  2. Heidi on January 12, 2023 at 10:06 am

    John 18:26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you with Him in the garden?” 27 So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
    In Luke 22:62 it says
    And he went out and wept bitterly (deeply grieved and distressed)
    In John 21:15-25 Jesus restores Peter and commissioned him to go and feed His sheep.

    What God is showing me is He knows everything, He knows our hearts, despite our failures, He knows that we love Him, even when we don’t get it it right sometimes, in the next scene He gives us let’s get our strength from Him to make a stand and get what we need from Him to help us.
    we’re blessed when He gives us another opportunity to do what He is calling us to do, learn from our mistakes and go feed His sheep, help others to learn what to say and do what He is calling them to do too.

    I hear God saying
    I love you ❤️
    Jesus knew what He had to do to save you and others, you will be with Me forever and ever. While you are here continue to feed my sheep, encourage them, teach them My ways and in the process you will continue to grow more and more with them and they will be stronger in helping you feed My sheep!
    Love you my daughter

  3. Alma on January 13, 2023 at 9:02 pm

    In John chapter 18 I got a song

    The truth
    We praise you we praise you we are praising you our Lord you were born so we could be taught the truth when we believe trust in you follow your ways, we get the victory the victory of eternal with you you are the king of kings the holy one we only want to listen to you we praise you we praise you we are praising you our Lord. Amen.

    He is the one and only on. Thank you for your goodness your comfort and for always loving us.

  4. reachchurch on January 15, 2023 at 12:25 pm

    This Week in the Life: John 18

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    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-0115-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-0115-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  5. Javaid Ahmed on January 18, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    This week God had focused my attention on John 18, Verses 19,20,21 and 34
    19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
    20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
    34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

    What he said to me about this is:
    “It is up to the strong to carry the weak, to be broad shoulders to be rested on so those that can’t stand can get their footing. Even those weaker have strength as strength is objective to the Love surrounded and around them from Me. It is important to focus on the truth always and with true sincerity. It is easy to be swayed by ideas of the world which can get out of control, but focusing on Me, the source of everything, allows your thinking to be heavenly rather than earthly.”

    It is up to us as soldiers of Christ to carry the weak and work with God and the strength He gives us to do so. Even those that are new to knowing God have the strength of Him throughout them and helps light the darkened world.

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