Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 181

June 30;    Matthew 26:35;    26/260(III);    ‘The Forgiven Liar’

Matthew 26:35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"……

The Lord Jesus explained to His disciples what is about to happen to Him.  His arrest, brutal treatment and crucifixion.  Jesus goes on to tell them that they will all forsake Him when this happens.  Peter, never at a loss for words boldly declares that he will never deny Jesus, even if the other disciples do and if he has to die with the Lord.  The Lord Jesus then tells Peter that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Jesus three times.  We know, from the Word of God, that that is exactly what happened.  Peter, when confronted by servant girls emphatically denied knowing Jesus.  One of the gospels teaches that after Peter denied the Lord and the rooster crowed, the Lord Jesus turned and looked at Peter.  Here is an incredibly vital point to make.  What our Lord did for us was universal.  He was about to suffer as no one ever did, for the sins and sicknesses of humanity.  Yet, Jesus took time to look at Peter after he denied Jesus.  Jesus’ work is universal in scope and it is also personal.  He knows each of us.  Peter must have thought his ministry was over.  When Jesus rose from the dead, Mark’s gospel tells us the angel at the tomb told the women to go tell Jesus’ disciples and Peter that Jesus would see them soon.  Peter was baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and went on to have a powerful, supernatural ministry.  Jesus Christ is ever ready to forgive us our sins and short comings and use us mightily.  What a Savior.