Anatomy of a Denial

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This is a message that was given on Palm Sunday and focuses on the Scripture references to Peter's denial of Christ.

Written Excerpts:

Luke 22:61-62 ^(NKJV) And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Introduction:

I don’t know what comes to your mind when you hear the word anatomy. I suppose that some of those who are current or former nurses might get a case of jitters by hearing the word! I’ve never taken an Anatomy & Physiology course, but I’ve heard some pretty harsh descriptions of it from some of my friends in the past!

For me, the word anatomy actually brings flashbacks of biology labs. It was considered so important for students to learn the anatomy of a seemingly endless number of creatures (e.g. frogs, earthworms, and starfish). Therefore, we were treated to hours and hours of dissecting critters in lab classes and then study for hours so that we could pass the lab exams which consisted of numbered straight pins stuck into every part of the specimen so we could accurately identify each part by the corresponding number on our test paper.

I can’t remember who related this story to me years ago, but I heard about a student in a biology lab one time who took a piece of his chewing gum and planted inside his frog then called his teacher over to ask “What is this mass in this frog?” I’m sorry I can’t remember exactly how the story ended up, but I do remember that the person told me how the teacher was all excited because they had found a tumor in the frog!

In addition to using the term in relation to human body structure, the word anatomy is sometimes used to refer to the various “parts” that make up anything. So, the word can also refer to a minute examination or analysis of something.

The passage of Scripture that was read earlier contained the account of Peter’s denial of the Lord when Jesus was taken into custody and brought to the home of the high priest. As you might be able to tell from the sermon title, I hope to “dissect” Peter’s denial to discover the components that led up to his failure.

I.       He Made a Self-Confident Boast

Luke 22:33 ^(NKJV) But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."

Matthew 26:31-35 ^(NKJV) Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

Some believe that Peter is declaring his willingness to fight and even die a martyr’s death in defending his Master. Perhaps even thinking about the heroic Maccabean martyrs of a couple hundred years prior. He seems to be oblivious to the weakness that lurk within himself and cannot imagine any scenario in which he wouldn’t be willing to stand and fight with and for his Lord.

We need to be aware that in ourselves we can do nothing. We are weak, ill-equipped, and even unwilling to be what we need to be unless we are filled with the presence and power of the living Christ through His Spirit.

We need the appropriate balance between: “I am nothing in myself” and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

II.     He Maintained a Self-Preserving Distance

Luke 22:54 ^(NKJV) Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance.

The first thing we should notice here is the fact that all the other disciples left and fled. At least Peter kept following, even if it was at a distance.

The scene that is described leads us to infer that Peter followed from a distance in order to preserve his own life. It may be that things were getting much more dangerous and serious than he imagined.

Peter had boasted that he was ready to die with Jesus, but Jesus wasn’t putting up a fight. He was being led away like a lamb to the slaughter. Jesus isn’t mounting any type of resistance. There apparently isn’t going to be any valiant battle in which Peter could die a heroic martyr. This is not a battle against formidable odds. This is a “sacrifice;” a “voluntary sacrifice.”

As we walk with Christ there are going to be those times when we will be tempted to distance ourselves from Jesus because it is getting too dangerous to be identified with Him.

III.    He Mingled with the Self-Concealing Crowd

Luke 22:55 ^(NKJV) Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.

The next description we read about Peter is that he is sitting among the mob. The Bible doesn’t describe these people. It doesn’t say whether they’re for Jesus or against Him. Perhaps they are just curious to see what’s going to happen. But Peter seems to be wanting to just blend in; not stand out or not be conspicuous.

Wesleyan Bible Commentary – Under the pressure of being identified with Jesus, Peter denied that he had any acquaintance with or association with Him. Most likely, rather than verbally denying Jesus, we seek to separate ourselves from Him by quietly blending in with those who oppose Him. Being lost in the comfort of the crowd is preferred to sharing in "the fellowship of his sufferings" (Phil. 3:10). Peter's denial is too often repeated by those who sit with the crowd rather than stand up and stand out for Jesus.

This crowd was self-concealing in two ways:

1. Even though he wasn’t successful in his attempt, it was a way to conceal his physical identity.

2. It was also a way to conceal his spiritual/religious identity. “Who me? I’m not one of HIS disciples.” (“I’m just here to watch what is happening like the rest of you.”)

We can make the same kind of choices if we’re not alert. We are tempted at times to just find a “normal” worldly crowd to blend in with so no one will recognize that we’re one of those “Wayside fanatics.”

I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t be engaging the people of the world around us. There is a legitimate interaction we must have in order to be salt and light. But I’m talking about attempting to “blend in” so that no one recognizes my identity as a Christian. It is a lot less threatening and less “painful” to merely be a “fan” of Jesus like a lot of other people, rather than a true “follower” that is willing to sacrifice for Jesus.

There are clear and definite dangers with mingling with the “heathen.” For example, listen to

Deuteronomy 7:1-4 ^(NKJV) "When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you… seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

Why did God order them to completely destroy the residents of Canaan? Two reasons: to keep His people from adopting the practices of the heathen; and because the “day of judgment” had come for the Canaanites. (See Deut. 9:5)

Deuteronomy 9:5 ^(NKJV) It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The NT carries the same message:

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 ^(NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

When we allow ourselves to get too closely tied in with the part of the world that is opposed to righteousness and holiness there is a risk of compromising our biblical convictions in order to “fit in.” Mixing/blending too well with unbelievers opens the door for an outright denial of our Lord and our faith.

Conclusion:

I’m thankful that the story doesn’t end with Peter’s denial. Even in the moment of greatest failure, there is a glimmer of hope expressed in the words, “He went out and wept bitterly.”

The look of Jesus.

Wesleyan Bible Commentary – William Barclay wrote, "The penalty of sin is to face, not the anger of Jesus, but the heartbreak in His eyes."

The prayer of Jesus.

Luke 22:31-32 ^(NKJV) And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

The restoration of Peter.

John 21:15ff – Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. It seems like it is meant to reflect the three denials. But just as importantly, Jesus reinstates Peter to the work of a disciple – “feed my sheep,” and “follow me.”