THE LIE THAT ALLOWED SETTLEMENT

“Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice”(45) Peter was commanded by Jesus. This was clearly a command and not a prophecy as many people try to interpret. Had he not obeyed, the whole organization would have fallen to nothingness.

Even though I don’t personally like Peter that much (and the few times we’ve been together we had lots of things to disagree on) I have to say he’s the most loyal friend anyone would like to have. He was also a very strong man able to withhold whatever weight you impose over him. To draw a clear picture I have to say he was spontaneous, and his life filled with impromptus. He was the one who drew the sword and smote the high priest’s servant (46). He was the first one to declare, “Thou art the Christ” (47) when nobody was brave enough. He didn’t care about being naked with his friends while fishing (48). He witnessed Jesus’ glory while on top of a mountain (49) the same way he witnessed many miracles Jesus performed, among them healing his own mother in law (50). He walked over the sea to meet Jesus (51). He escorted and watched over Jesus at Gethsemane (52). He was such a character! It’s not possible to believe he would’ve denied his association with Jesus so easily. He was commanded to deny The Messiah by the Messiah himself.

He was commanded to lie.

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee (53) and how he wanted to say, yes, he’s my master! But he had to withhold and politely responded I know not what thou sayest. He then moved to the porch trying to avoid people, but another maid saw him, and said to all that were there, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. He denied this time with an oath, the most sacred way to settle a pronouncement, but still people gather around him and said, “surely thou also art one of them”; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Even though it was late at night everyone that was around was widely awake and full of excitement. When people are full of excitement they do not watch their words, but Peter’s language was clean, not an obscene word came out of his lips in the midst of an agitated and excited mob…He realized he had been behaving too correctly. Then he began to curse and to swear like everyone else denying his association with Jesus (54). The bitter tears that came out when he heard the cock crow burned his cheeks because he had to withhold all the energy he had inside. He wanted to fight and offer his life for his testimony!

But because of his testimony he had been commanded to keep his life so that the small organization could grow. Without him there were no possibilities beyond Golgotha.

45. Matthew 26:75
46. John 18:10
47. Matthew 16:16
48. John 21:7
49. Matthew 17:1-6
50. Matthew 8:14-15
51. Matthew 14:29
52. Matthew 26:37
53. Matthew 26:69-70
54. Matthew 26:71-75