The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-11-12

io.i2.
The record OF Peters failure Is q
sad story. Mark. who received his
Gospel from Peter. gives II In clear
outline. This suggests that Peter did
not spare himself
4, After Passover Feast, w. 27-3f.
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. q: SO. 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 Il was chiefly In their inability
10 catch, or comprehend this note, that
they stumbled Particularly 10 TIL
true OF Peter. That Jesus could found
n church on the vulgar tragedy OF q
criminals death was beyond the range
OF his understanding. This self-con-
fidence was the beginning OF his fall.
Prov. 1918 II 10 pride like this
which men have In their own strength,
that Is the chief reason why they are
not saved. II they are able to care
for themselves. why do they need the
help OF another1
Peters DenlaIs.
Peter trusted his own heart A man
In n fool who will trust such deceitful
member. Jer 1879. Prov 2S26.
Peters loud profession II answered by
n definite prophecy OF his utter fall
ure, v. 30. Before the cock shall
crow twice. thou shall deny me
thrice" Again Peter contradicts the
Lord. IL will not deny thee" Peters
later denial OF the person OF Jesus In
the Judgment hall In profaced by
denial OF his masters assertions on
the way thither He had 90 learn wis
dom and humility In the bitter school
OF experience Peter IL quite like us
all. but he did learn and profited there
by q Peter $50. which cannot be
said OF all OF us.
u. Following Afsr on. w. SO, 81.
Peter followed affair." into the court
OF the high priests palace. We have
suggested uesso Nov. ist) that
zeal and affection 0mpted Peter. yet
he was expressly forbidden and fore
warned. John 10 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 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 II Is never safe to
warm oneself at the enemies FIRE
though we see Il constantly being
done. Matt 6:i3: Ps IL.
~. ~ Know Not This Man." w. &C.
~. While at the FIRE. a 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
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 o.
or condemnation. Thus con.
forming TO the world about him made
II 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
a "a NJ hot Mar
and the other writer's over the ques-
ton OF the number OF maids seems
10 be solved by John 1925. where
reference Is made to several who
spoke at the same time. Doubtless
he words OF the first maid are re-
enforced by those OF another on the Y
second OCCASION they both brought an
accusation against him.
Speech Betrayed Peter.
This second maid addressing the
Unlocking spectators said. This Is one
II them" and again Peter denies the
accusation. He had escaped one pre-
licament only TO be plunged into an
'ther and perhaps more dangerous
me. To deny afresh seemed TO be
he only way OF escape, James 40; /
'or. 1882 Il. v. A few words OF
erving maid filled Peter with dis
nay but a second denial did not de-
liver him from his predicament. After
little those standing with him de-
Jared he must be one OF the follow
RS OF Jesus. for his speech betrayed
I'm TO be a Galilean. Then Peter
ouched the bottom. for he accom-
'enies HIS denial with curses.
From his high and exalted state OF
mind. his high hopes as TO Jesus, he
ees himself traitor and Jesus about
0 be crushed by the hand OF man.
'eter was passionately devoted TO
esus and had felt that he could go
nth him 10 the limit. Once before
I Caesarea-P hilippi Peter had been
armed. He had been mystifed by
hat Jesus said about the cross and
ad protested. He had high and noble
SEPARATIONS but they carried him DO
ond the limits OF his permission into
anger and defeat
There 10 always the sravsst danger