Evening star., 1927-04-30

One of the darkest episodes con-
nected with the trial of Jesus was the
denial of the Master three times by
Peter. We come to its study after
Mount of TRANSPORTATION last week.
There is something of a shock and
surprise to find that this leader Of the
apostolic band, the close companion
Of the Lord Jesus, one of the bravest
and one of the most honest and truth
full of men, should fail the Master in
the hour of His need by series of
brazen lies. Yet we ought to remem-
ber that no great downfall ever takes
place in moment of sudden and un-
expected temptation. A study of the
denial of Peter in the four gospels
would indicate that our Lord evidently
considered that it was inevitable.
Peters denial was not premeditated,
like the treachery of Judas. No one
can doubt the love the apostle had for
his Master and of his determination
to be loyal to Him. Persons Of inn
pulsive temperament and character
never realize how easily they can be
moved from their position and pur-
poses. Peters weakness was due, like
most of his sins and virtues. to his
temperament. His self-confidence was
the cause Of his undoing. He knew
no fear or nervous dread. He had
been accustomed to meet the hard
ships Of life and the difficulties of
each moment, as they came, in mas
terful way. This made him a natural
leader of men. Although warned of
= frin n
Satan "arrayed in no stronger armor
than that which his red-hot impulse
had forged
Our engineers will study the cause
Of the failure of the system of levees
to control the raging waters of the
Mississippi in an effort to prevent its
waters flooding vast areas in the fu-
ture. We should study Peters denial
as q warning, for there IS nothing in
his experience foreign to our own, for
we have denied the Lord, repudiated
our discipleship and weakened our
spiritual life from similar causes.
Looking back, we can detect the
causes of his breakdown. We find it
in his boasting. self-confidence and
not realizing the approaching danger.
He was asleep in the garden when he
should have been alert, watching the
approach of the enemies of his Lord.
He took up the sword to fight for
Christ, and he would never have
fiinched if he had been called to a
physical battle for his Master. He
may have felt the rebuke of the Lord,
for he followed him afar off. There
was only one other member of the
apostolic college who sought admit
tance to the trial besides Peter, who
was admitted to the court yard
through the influence of John. Here
he suffered a total collapse, starting
by seeking to hide himself with tire
Masters enemies by seeking fellow
ship with the guards and enjoying
the heat of their charcoal fire, while
he took in with them the proceedings
Of the illegal and unjust trial of his
Lord, denying Him three times.
Peters Denial.
Peters denial fills us with sorrow
and shame as we trace the downward
steps that resulted in his denial of the
Christ. He was restless in the com
pany of the guards by their fire.
Mark and Luke tell us how he sat
and John speaks of his standing, as
he watched the proceedings of the
trial. 1t was probably his restlessness
that attracted the attention Of the
Fortress, who had permitted both
John and Peter to enter, and caused
her to look in his troubled face, which
was Illuminated by the light Of the
fire. and ask the question that brought
on the first denial. His disowning of