“Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” (Luke 22:54-61 NKJV)
The phrase “peter out” means to gradually become smaller, weaker, or less before stopping or ending. Although it comes across as a command, the words in today’s title, are really a challenge. It is a challenge appropriate for every Saturday, a day where we will be invited to act out of our Christian, disciple character, a day where we will find ourselves immersed in surroundings that will try to impact the fact that we are followers of Christ and have been with Him, and we will face detours that will try to still our readiness to acknowledge who we are, His disciples.
People will inquire if our decisions to do this or to not do that are based on the fact that we are “one of them,” one who has sat under His teachings, one who has listened to His preachings, one who knows His examples and excellent way, as well as having seen His incredible workings where individuals come out with a better life after interacting with Him.
Face the challenge successfully! Instead of being like Peter, do not deny in any shape, form, or fashion that you are one of Jesus’ disciples. In other words, “don’t peter out.” To the contrary! Meet the challenge, any challenge that you face to do otherwise on this day for sure! Have a wonderful Saturday! Fight having any failings! Forge ahead, depending on the Lord to keep you from any fallings! Faithfully live and forget not the assembly of the saints tomorrow. As a result, you will come out more powerful! Smile! Let me remind you again and add to the challenge you have been presented with this morning: “Don’t peter out,” but be “Peter strong” as evident in the verses below, showing us that Peter was forgiven of his failing and turned out to be true to His calling and tied steadfastly to His relationship with Jesus! You do likewise, my friend! Be blessed!
“When they had brought them, they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:27-32 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King