The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-11-13

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he stnndeth take heed lest he fall Cor.
iOi2
The record OF Peters failure Is
sad story. Mark. who received his
Gospel from Peter gives 1t in clear
outline. This suggests that Peter did
not spare hImaelf
|. After Passover Feast, w. 27.31.
On the way to Olivct Jesus warns the
disciples that all would be offended
tcauscd to stumblcD because OF what
was about to occur. Not one escaped.
Matt. 2G:56. Zech. 1871. Peter, assured
In his own mind, denies that this
should be true OF him, 80 confident
was he Of himself and Of his devotion.
| over against this warning Jesus
sounds the note of his resurrection.
and It was chiefly in their inability
to catch, or comprehend this note, that
they stumbled Particularly is this
true OF Peter. That Jesus could found
church on the vulgar tragedy Of a
criminals death was beyond the range
of his understanding. This self.con-
fdence was the beginning OF his fall,
Prov. 1918. 1t is pride like this
which men have in their own strength,
that is the chief reason why they are
net saved. II they are able to care
for themselves. why do they need the
help of another?
Peters Deniale.
Peter trusted his own heart. A man
is fool who will trust such deceitful
member, Jer 1879, Prov. 2S:26.
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, 81 will not deny thee Peters
later denial OF the person OF Jesus in
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 proiited there
by Il Peter $50. which cannot be
said OF all of us.
u. Following Afar Of, w. SO, 50,
Peter followed afar" into the court
OF the high priests palace. We have
suggested G.esson OF Nov. 1sD that
zeal and affection prompted Peter yet
he was expressly forbidden and fore
warned. John 13:36-3S 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 Goals was danger
GUS place for any disciple of the Lord.
The servants and soldiers OF the pow
ers against Christ were congregated
about that first 1t is never safe TO
warm oneself at the enemies fire
though we see it constantly being
done. Matt 6:13; Ps IL.
~. a Know Not This Man" w. C.
70. While at the fire, serving maid
looking at Peter said Thou also vast
with the Nazavne, even Jesus I'M
medately 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
It 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 socord maid addressing the
unlocking spectators said This Is one
VI anu bSdiu ftltl
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 1888 r. V. A few wordn of a
serving maid filed Peter with dis
may but second denial did not de-
liver him from his predicament. After
a little those standing with him de-
clared no must be one Of the follow
ers CT Jesus, fer his speech betrayed
him to be Galilean. Then Peter
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 passiona,ely devoted to
Jesus and had felt that he could go
with him to the limit. Once before
at Cacsarea. Phllippi Peter had been
warned. He had been mystlfied b.
what Jesus said about the cross and
had protested. He had high and noble
aspirations but they carried him be.