“And now Peter sat without in the palace” (Mt. 26:69).
There are three ways to read this text. The first is to place the emphasis on the word “now.” If you emphasize this word you have the account of the man’s downfall, and it seems that you have here lifted up before you the sharpest warning in the New Testament.
Second, you may read the verse “Now Peter sat.” That was a dangerous thing to do. The psalmist says, “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.” It is unsafe to stand in the presence of temptation; it is still more dangerous to sit by the fire of the enemy.
Third, you may read, “Now Peter sat without.” There is a circle in which Peter and the rest of us find ourselves if we are to be true to the Master–the circle of faithfulness. That circle is composed of several concentric circles. It is bounded by prayer. It is bounded by Bible study. One single verse of Scripture, constantly meditated on, is a secret source of strength and power. It is bounded by faith and service. You know your danger was not when you were serving Christ, but when you were in idleness.
I have certain things for you to notice about Peter. First of all, he was so sincere. Second, I like him for his courage–when all the other disciples had forsaken Christ completely, Peter had the courage to “stand not far off.” I like him because of his enthusiasm. If you say that this is the reason he so often failed, I will answer you that the world does not owe so very much to its overcautious people. Peter was a man desperately in earnest.
I like him also for his writings. The epistles of Peter are said to be written in the purest Greek of any in the New Testament. To me they are like nothing so much as a precious diamond. Where did Peter get this diamond? I will tell you.
A long time ago a stranger took passage on an ocean steamer without registering his name. One evening when the ship’s orchestra was playing, the stranger stepped up to the conductor and said civilly, “If you would make the tempo a little faster, it would improve the piece you are playing.” The leader paid no attention to the intruder, but the next night the stranger had procured from the steerage somewhere an old violin, out of tune, and damaged. He again presented himself to the leader, and said, “Now I will show you what I mean.” The musicians were expecting some sport and let him play, but it was not a moment before they knew they were listening to an artist. The violinist was Ole Bull. The violin was nothing, but the violinist was everything. Peter was only a fisherman, but Jesus Christ was the musician, and Peter’s epistles are just the spirit of Jesus manifesting itself in him.
Then I want to say a word about Peter’s denials. The first was at the wicket gate. “I am not a disciple of Jesus,” said Peter. The second denial was at the fire, where Peter said that he knew not the name of Jesus. I think that it is a sad thing that we people in the Church that have seen Christ must warm ourselves at the enemy’s fire. The third denial was when Jesus was being led away. Peter had again denied Him and He turned and looked at Peter.
You find all the stages of Peter’s downfall here. Peter was boastful, “Though all men should be offended I will never!” Again Peter was not watchful. Third, Peter, and all the disciples forsook Him. But then you have all done that. How about the day you let go past without reading your Bible? How about the day you let go past without prayer? That is forsaking Jesus. Men, you go down in the world not because you are weak, but because you do not keep step with Jesus Christ. It was this that led Peter to follow “far off.”
Have you denied Christ? If you have, do not be discouraged. He was the Saviour of John, of Paul, of all the rest; but it is the most encouraging thing of all to remember that he was the Saviour of Peter.