OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL-THURSDAY-21/04/2016-DENYING JESUS?-BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
DENYING JESUS?
Memorise
Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1
Read
Luke 22:54-60,
54 Then
took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And
Peter followed afar off.
55 And
when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down
together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a
certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him,
and said, this man was also with him.
57 And
he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And
after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And
Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And
about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a
truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And
Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake,
the cock crew.
KJV
MESSAGE
The company you keep determines who you are,
what you do, and how you respond to situations in life. The story was told of a
sparrow that got trapped together with ravens that were caught devouring a
grain farmland. He pleaded with the farmer who owned the trap to release him.
“Why should I release you”, the farmer asked. “Because I am not a raven but a
sparrow that cannot devour your farm” the sparrow replied. “How come you were
caught with the ravens?”, “I was only trying to enjoy their company” the raven
replied. “So, you are being judged because of the company you were in” the
farmer concluded.
The story in our Bible reading of today is
pathetic. Many things could have been responsible for Peter’s denial of Jesus,
however, let us look at some probable factors. Firstly; the Bible says when
they brought Jesus into the high priest’s house;
Peter followed Him,
but afar off. It is dangerous to follow Jesus afar off. Moreover, because it
was cold, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those that were enjoying
the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some
so-called believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of
strange men and women.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”
Psalms 1:1
Peter, forgetting that he had the identity
of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the residents of Jerusalem and his identity
was found out. Many pretend as if they are not Christians, they easily conform
to the comfort zones of this world. Whereas, the Bible says:
“And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:3
Peter did not notice
that his location was not good enough for him to maintain his obligation of
discipleship to Jesus Christ. And when he was confronted about being a disciple
of Jesus, he denied it to the point of swearing.
Beloved, let us learn from Peter’s mistakes,
following Jesus from afar off is very dangerous to our spiritual life. We must
not patronise spiritual unhealthy zones, no matter how attractive the place may
be. We will be judged by the company we keep.
Prayer Point
Father, please help me never
to deny you however tough the trial may be.
Bible in one year
2nd Samuel
19:16-20:26, Proverbs 13:15-14:3
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