Matthew 26: "Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father"

 As I was reading Matthew 26 this week, I became curious of one of the passages and how it interacts with another of Jesus' statements back in Matthew 10. The chapter begins with Jesus again informing the disciples that he must be crucified. Peter has learned from times past not to intereject, last time Jesus called him Satan. Jesus tells the disciples that they will scatter like sheep when the shepherd gets killed. Peter, obviously infuriated that Jesus thinks he will tuck tail and run, adamantly states:

33 “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

Jesus responds:

34 “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

The day concludes with Peter denying that he was seen with Jesus a total of 3 times, happening exactly how Jesus said it would. Down to the detail of the rooster crowing.

74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

My curiosity is sparked because back in Matthew 10 Jesus says:

but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Peter obviously denies Jesus 3 times. Jesus already knew he was going to deny him 3 times. Jesus said "whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father." What do we do with this?

 First, let's back up to Matthew 16:16-20 (I suggest you get your Bible and not take my word for it). Jesus asks Peter who other people say he is. Peter adamantly answers that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, the Christ. Peter confessed with his mouth and believed in his heart that Jesus was the Son of God. This passage also points to the fact that faith to confess such a thing cannot be fabricated, cannot be man-made, it comes from God. Now, whether you're a Calvinist believing in irresistible grace or an Arminian believing in prevenient grace, God did the work in Peter's heart according to this verse. Peter was saved, elect, written in the Lamb's book of life, regenerated, however you want to state it.

 Second, let's jump ahead to John 21. After Jesus'resurrection, he appears to the disciples including Peter. Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him, by the third time Peter responds almost through exhaustion "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus restores Peter for the 3 denials with 3 confessions that Christ is Lord, and a command to "Follow me."

 Peter messed up, in a big, embarrassing way. He did deny Christ 3 times, but this is obviously not the same kind of denial Jesus spoke of in Matthew 10. Jesus is speaking of a denial that refuses to confess Jesus as the Christ. A denial to make him Lord of your life. I know this from the life of Peter, because Peter preached Pentecost, performed miracles, wrote letters proclaiming the gospel, and was martyred for confessing Jesus as Lord.

 I sin. I live my life often not proclaiming who Jesus is and what he has done for me. But, God in his grace and mercy provides forgiveness, restoration, and kindness that consistently leads us to repentance. To turn from our sin, doubts, hangups, and turn to him. To Follow Him.

 I encourage you not to skip over the paradoxes you find reading scripture. Dive in, ask questions, and make sure you answer each question using the WHOLE Bible, not just the parts you like. The Bible is God's inspired, inerrant, infallible Word, and it can most certainly defend itself.