I KNOW NOT THE MAN!

I love the apostle Peter! He was a great and faithful soldier of the cross. However, his road to strong faith in the Lord was a long, perilous journey - one that included a disastrous encounter with the devil. On the night of the arrest of Jesus, Peter and the eleven were with Him in the upper room. On that grant occasion, Peter announced his unswerving devotion and allegiance to Jesus: "...Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and death" (Luke 22:33). "...Though I should die with thee, yet will I never deny thee..." (Matthew 26:35). No doubt Peter was sincere; however, Satan was involved, but Peter was oblivious. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat." (Like 22:31). Jesus' statement was chilling. The devil literally had asked an interest in Peter and was desiring to shake and agitate the well-meaning apostle.

But, there is some good news at this point in the story of Peter. In the garden he leaped into action and defended Jesus with the sword, but Jesus said, "Put up thy sword..." (John 18:10-11). Sadly, shortly thereafter, Peter denied his Lord when he sheepishly said, "I know not the man! (Matthew 26:74)

Before we judge Peter too harshly, let us think back to some occasions when, through our actions, we may have also professed, "I know not the man! Truth is, Satan desires to sift us as wheat and wants nothing more than to agitate us to the point that we turn our backs on Jesus. Be on guard, weary soldier.

Steve Harris