Strength or Weakness

Memory Text: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall - 1 Corinthians 10:12

Among the disciples of Jesus, there were three of them that stood out with greater prominence - Peter, James and John. They were the ones that had the transfiguration experience( Mathew 17), and they were the ones at Gethsemane ( Mathew 26). They were the inner circle of Jesus disciples

Even among the three, there was one who stood out uniquely with a greater distinctiveness. You cannot read the gospels without noticing Peter. When the rest of the disciples were confused about the identity of Jesus, he was the one that made that confession; thou art the Christ(Mathew 16:16). It was him who was bold enough to rebuke Jesus when he(Jesus) was talking about his(Jesus) death.( Mathew 16:22). It was him that was bold enough to request that three tabernacles be made for Jesus, Moses and Elijah( Mathew 17:4). It was he that will come to Jesus and ask how often they were to forgive others (18:21). It was he who asked on behalf of the disciples what their gain will be from following Christ ( 19:27). It was he who represented the disciples to declare - "to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life"(John 6:68)

Peter might have lacked many things, but if there is something he had in abundance, it was boldness. This was his point of strength. He was very strong here. He could fail in anything else but definitely not here.

However, when we get to Mathew 26, the story gets interesting. Earlier on, in verse 35, Peter in his usual boldness claimed that he will not deny his Lord even if all men did. In his boldness, he confronted a roman soldier and even took off the ear. But this same bold, courageous Peter failed at that same very point

He denied his Lord before a damsel, a maid and them that stood by. He stood before a soldier, before Christ himself but failed before a maid and a "small girl". Where he thought he was strong( boldness and courage) turned out to be the very point of his failures. God used this incident to humble his pride

Are there some points where we think we are so strong and can't be moved; are there some temptations that we think are too little for our spiritual height. Have we been proud of our strength and spiritual maturity? We need to be careful and take heed lest we fall

For each of the classes represented by the Pharisee and the publican there is a lesson in the history of the apostle Peter. In his early discipleship Peter thought himself strong. Like the Pharisee, in his own estimation he was “not as other men are.” When Christ on the eve of His betrayal forewarned His disciples, “All ye shall be offended because of Me this night,” Peter confidently declared, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” Mark 14:27, 29. Peter did not know his own danger. Self-confidence misled him. He thought himself able to withstand temptation; but in a few short hours the test came, and with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord.


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