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.
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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