The Brinkley argus., 1914-11-13

LESSON TExT-Mark 14:27-Si, 6S' S4 o0'
 GOLDEN TExT-Let him that thinketf | he standeth take heed lest he fall.-i Cor 1 1O:12.
 The record of Peters failure Is g sad story. Mark. who received nis Gospel from Peter, gives 1t in clear outline. This suggests that Peter did
 not spare himself.
 |. After Passover Feast, w. 27-S1. On the way to Olivet Jesus warns the disciples that all would be offended (caused to stumble) because of what was about to occur. Not one escaped, Matt. 26:56, Zech. 13.7. Peter. assured in his own mind, denies that this should be true of him, so confident was he of himself and of his devotion. Over against this warning Jesus
 sounds the note of his resurrection, and 1t was chiefly in their inability to catch, or comprehend this note, that they stumbled. Particularly is this true of Peter That Jesus could found
 a church on the vulgar tragedy of g criminals death was beyond the range
 of his understanding. This self-con- fidence was the beginning of his fall, Prov. 16:18. It is pride like this which men have in their own strength.
 that is the chief reason why they are
 not saved. If they are able to care for themselves, why do they need the help of another?
 Peter's Denials.
 Peter trusted his own heart A man is a fool who will trust such deceitful
 member, ter. 17:9. Prov. 28:Zb.
 Peters loud profession is answered by
 a definite prophecy of his utter fail
 ure. V. 30. Before the cock shall
 crow twice, thou shall deny me thrice." Again Peter contradicts the Lord, "I will not deny thee." Peters
 later denial of the person of Jesus Tn the judgment hall is prefaced by denial of his masters assertions on the way thither He had to learn wis dom and humility in the bitter school of experience. Peter is quite like us all. but he did learn and profited there by q Peter 5:5), which cannot be said of all of us.
 II. Following Altar Of, w. 53, 54. Peter followed afar" into the court of the high priests palace. We have suggested Hesson of Nov. 1sO that
 zeal and affection prompted Peter. yet
 he was expressly forbidden and fore
 warned, John 13:36-38. Some one has
 said that the development of Peters
 weakness began in the garden when
 he ceased to pray. That courtyard
 and its brazier of coals was a danger ous place for any disciple of the Lord. The servants and soldiers of the pow CTS against Christ were congregated about that first. It is never safe to
 warm oneself at the enemies fire though we see it constantly being
 done, Matt. s:13: Ps. Fl.
 III. ~ Know Not This Man." w. 66-
 72. While at the fire, serving maid
 looking at Peter said. Thou also vast
 with the Nazarne, even Jesus" I'm
 mediately and without any seeming
 hesitancy Peter denied, and declared
 his ignorance both of the man and of understanding what she said. Peter
 did not sympathize with what was be- ing done to Jesus. but at heart he was not brave enough to separate him. self from the enemies of Jesus thereby to draw upon himself some sort of censure or condemnation. Thus con- forming to the world about him made
 1t easy for Peter to utter his first note of denial. Having done so he passed on into the porch and heard the first growing of the cock. The apparent contradiction between Mark and the other writers over the Ques- ton of the number of maids seems to be solved by John 1925, where reference is made to several who spoke at the same time. Doubtless the words of the first maid are re- enforced by those of another on the second occasion; they both brought an
 accusation against him.
 Speech Betrayed Peter.
 This second maid addressing the
 onlooking spectators said. "This Is one of them" and again Peter denies the
 accusation. He had escaped one pre-
 dicament only to be plunged into an- other and perhaps more dangerous one To deny afresh seemed to be the only way of escape, James A; Cor. 15:32 R. V. A few words of a
 serving maid filled Peter with dis
 may but a second denial did not de- liver him from his predicament. After
 a little those standing with him de
 clared he must be one of the follow
 CTS of Jesus, for his speech betrayed
 him to be a Galilean. Then Peter l touched the bottom, for he accom- panies his denial with curses
 From his high and exalted state of
 mind, his high hopes as to Jesus, he
 sees himself traitor and Jesus about to be crushed by the hand of man.
 Peter was passionately devoted to Jesus and had felt that he could SC
 with him to the limit. Once befors
 at Caesarea-Philippi Peter had been
 warned. He had been mystified by
 what Jesus said about the cross and had protested. He had high and noble
 aspirations but they carried him be yond the limits of his permission into
 danger and defeat.
 There Is always the gravest dangel I h ambition that Is not controlled