John 18:15-26

Bob Russell, a Kentucky preacher, recalls a class when his 5th grade Bible class teacher told about a King who was looking for a new chariot driver.

Three men sought the job and were taken up a winding mountain road to a dangerous precipice. As a test of their driving skills they were each asked, “How close could you drive your chariot to the edge of this cliff?”

The first replied, “I think I could bring the wheel of the chariot within six inches of the cliff.”

The second insisted that he could bring his chariot within three inches of the cliff.

The third wisely responded, “If the king were riding in my chariot, I’d stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as I could.” That’s the guy who got the job.

Like the first two men, we may find ourselves too close to dangerous temptations that may result in disaster. Today’s text records such a situation when Peter denied Jesus.

In the shadow of the cross Peter earlier had boasted, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” When Jesus predicted that before the rooster crowed twice, Peter would deny Him three times. Peter vehemently objected saying, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

But here he is following at a distance after Jesus’ arrest. It was a cold night, so the servant made a fire. You wonder what Peter was thinking as he joined the group and warmed himself, staring at the burning embers. But whatever his thoughts, they were interrupted by a servant girl who said, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”

Peter quickly denied it and said “I am not.”

As he left the fire, a little later, he was accused of being “one of His disciples.” Again, Peter denied it.

Finally, a servant of the high priest who was a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter cut off when Jesus was arrested said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Again Peter denied it. Both Matthew and Mark record Peter cursing and swearing as he retorted, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

Following the third denial, the rooster crowed. Twice. Just as Jesus predicted.

There are several lessons to learn from this text.

#1 The danger of overconfidence.

Peter’s failure is reminiscent of the wise man’s counsel. “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).

Peter did the very thing he boasted he would never do–deny Jesus. While it’s good to be confident in our salvation and in the Lord’s promises, let’s never feel immune to temptation. To Satan’s snare. To the devil’s devices.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12)

#2 Don’t neglect prayer when facing a crisis.

While Jesus was earnestly praying in Gethsemane’s garden, remember what Peter was doing? Sleeping. He would have been better off praying with Jesus. Or leading the other disciples in prayer for strength to face the coming trial.

Jesus’ admonition and warning to the disciples is one we ought to heed. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41).

The devil is real. Temptation is lurking just around the corner. The possibility of sin creeping into our lives in thought, word, or deed is not impossible. Pastor, preachers, parents, and Bible teachers can be caught in the web of some sin at any time.

Pray for strength. Courage. Faithfulness. And the will to say, “no” to Satan’s schemes.

#3 Don’t hang out with the enemy.

I recall preachers of yesteryear having a sermon called “Warming by the Devil’s Campfire.” It was a warning against evil companions. Worldly friendships. And hanging out with folks who are enemies of the cross” who may lead you astray.

Who are your closest friends? What are their values? Their beliefs? Their morals? Are they helping or hurting you? Does your association with them bring to closer to Christ, or keep you at a distance?

No doubt, these early morning hours on that fateful Friday was the worse day in Peter’s life. One that he no doubt would never forget. However, we later learn that Jesus forgave Peter. Restored him to fellowship. Gave him the keys of the Kingdom. And allowed him to be the principle speaker on Pentecost to preach the first gospel sermon.

If you’ve failed, fallen and denied Jesus, don’t give up. Don’t quit. You can come back. You can be forgiven. You can begin again.

But remember in the future don’t get too close to the edge of the cliff.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman