The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-11-14

caused to stumble) because of what
was about to occur. Not one escaped.
Matt. 90: Sc, Zech 1871 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 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
a church on the vulgar tragedy OF
criminals death was beyond the range
OF his understanding. This self-con-
fidence was the beginning Of his fall
Prov. 1918. 1t b pride like TINS
which men have in their own strength,
that is the chief reason why they are
not saved. IL they are able to care
for themselves. why do they need the
help Of another?
Peters Denials.
Peter trusted his own heart. A man
Is a fool who will trust such decelttul
member, Jer. 1879, Prov. 2S:2o.
Peters loud profession is answered by
a definite prophecy of his utter fail
ure, v. 80. Before the cock shall
crow twice, thou shall deny me
thrice" Again Peter contradlcts the
Lord, IL 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 schooi
of experience. Peter is quite like us
all, but he did learn and profited there
by Il Peter 5:5), which cannot be
said OF all Of us.
u. Following Altar OF, w. SO, 81.
Peter followed afar" into the court
of the high priests palace. We have
suggested Uesson of Nov. 1sp 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 Peter s
weakness began in the garden when
he ceased to pray. That cour'yard
and it's brazier OF Goals was a 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 10
warm oneself at the enemies hre
though we see 1t constantly being
dopo Matt 6.12. Ps IL.
III. ", Know Not This Man." w. IS,
~. 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
lid 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
,ensure or condemnation. Thus con
forming to the world about him made
Il 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
,pparent contradiction between Marx
and the other writer's over the ques
ton of the number of maids seems
70 be solved by John 1925. where
reference Is made to several wne
spoke at the same time. Doubtless
he words of the first maid are re
enforced by those Of another on the
second occasion; they both brought ar
accusation against him.
Speech Betrayed Peter.
This second maid addressing thu
Unlocking spectators said, This is ont
of them" and again Peter denies thu
accusation. He had escaped one pre-
iicament only to be plunged into an
other and perhaps more dangerous
one. To deny afresh seemed to b
the only way Of escape, James 4:4;
Cor. 1882 r. v. A few words OF
serving maid filled Peter with dis
NAV but a second denial did not de
liver him from his predicament Afte
little those standing with him de
clared he must be one Of the follow
ers of Jesus, for his speech betrayed
him to be a Galilean. Then Pete
touched the bottom, for he accom-
NAMES his denial with curses an
oaths. One Of the principal uses
profanity is to emphasize lie an
the larger the lie the more profuse tn
profanity. Again he hears the COO
crow. Mark says nothing about tn
look OF the master and seems to al
sociate Peters weeping chiefly wit
the effect produced up his memory b
what the master had said. The men
orv of those words banished Peter
disloyalty and cowardice, filled hir
with remorse and shame and turne
him to tears of bitterness and repen
ance. The memory Of his own ac
and the evident dashing Of his Me-
sianic hopes of Jesus, plunged hill
into the depths of dispair.
From his high and exalted state
mind, his high hopes as to Jesus, b
sees himself a traitor and Jesus abor
to be crushed by the hand Of mai
Peter was passionately devoted
Jesus and had felt that he could G
with him to the limit. Once befol
at Caesarea-Philippi Peter had bee
warned. He had been mystified b
A.