2. In Peter we have another warning, though of a different kind. He really loved Jesus, but he feared the cross. He shrank from confessing His name in the midst of the enemy’s ranks. He boasted of what he would do, when he should have been self-emptied. He was fast asleep, when he ought to have been on his knees. Instead of praying he was sleeping; and, then, instead of being still, he was drawing his sword. “He followed Jesus afar off,” and then “warmed himself at the high priest’s fire.” Finally, he cursed and swore that he did not know his gracious Master. All this was terrible! Who could suppose that the Peter of Matthew 16:1616And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16), is the Peter of Matthew 26? Yet so it is. Man, in his best estate, is but like a sere autumn leaf. There is none abiding. The highest position, the loudest profession, may all end in following Jesus afar off, and of basely denying His name.
It is very probable, yea, almost certain, that Peter would have spurned the thought of selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and yet he was afraid to confess Him before a servant maid. He might not have betrayed Him to his enemies, but he denied Him before them. He may not have loved money; but he failed to manifest a heart for Christ.
Christian reader, remember Peter’s fall, and beware of self-confidence. Cultivate a prayerful spirit. Keep close to Jesus. Keep away from the influence of this world’s favor. “Keep thyself pure.” Beware of dropping into a sleepy, torpid condition of soul. Be earnest and watchful. Be occupied with Christ. This is the true safe-guard. Do not be satisfied with the mere avoidance of open sin. Do not rest in mere blamelessness of conduct and character. Cherish lively warm affections toward Christ. One who “follows Jesus afar off” may deny Him before long. Let us think of this. Let us profit by the case of Peter. He himself afterward tells us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9)). These are weighty words, coming as they do from the Holy Spirit, through the pen of one who had suffered so much from lack of “vigilance.”
Blessed be the grace that could say to Peter, before his fall, “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.” Mark, He does not say, “I have prayed for thee that thou mayest not fall.” No; but “that thy faith fail not” when thou hast fallen. Precious, matchless grace! This was Peter’s resource. He was a debtor to grace, from first to last. As a lost sinner, he was a debtor to “the precious blood of Christ;” and as a stumbling Saint, he was a debtor to the all-prevailing advocacy of Christ. Thus it was with Peter. The advocacy of Christ was the basis of his happy restoration. Of this advocacy Judas knew nothing. It is only those who are washed in the blood that partake of the advocacy. Judas knew nothing of either. Hence “he went and hanged himself;” whereas Peter went forth, as a converted or restored soul, to “strengthen his brethren.” There is no one so fit to strengthen his brethren as one who has himself experienced the restoring grace of Christ. Peter was able to stand before the congregation of Israel, and say, “Ye denied the Holy One and the Just,” the very thing he had done himself. This shows how entirely his conscience was purged by the blood, and his heart restored by the advocacy of Christ.
3. And now, one word as to the woman with the alabaster box. She stands forth in bright and beauteous contrast with all. While the chief priests, elders, and scribes were plotting against Christ, “in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,” she was anointing His body, “in the house of Simon the leper.” While Judas was planning to go to the chief priests to sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, she was pouring the precious contents of her alabaster box upon His Person. Touching contrast! She was wholly absorbed with her object, and her object was Christ. Those who knew not His worth and beauty might pronounce her sacrifice a waste. Those who could sell Him for thirty pieces of silver might talk of “giving to the poor;” but she heeded them not. Their surmisings and murmurings were nothing to her. She had found her all in Christ. They might murmur, but she could worship and adore. Jesus was more to her than all the poor in the world. She felt that nothing was “waste” that was spent on Him. He might only be worth thirty pieces of silver to one who had a heart for money. He was worth ten thousand worlds to her, because she had a heart for Christ. Happy woman! May we imitate thee! May we ever find our place at the feet of Jesus, loving, adoring, admiring, and worshipping His blessed Person. May we spend and be spent in His service, even though heartless professors should deem our service a foolish “waste.” The time is rapidly approaching when we shall not repent of anything done for His name’s sake; yea, if there could be room for a single regret, it will be that we so faintly and feebly served His cause in the world. If, on “the morning without clouds,” a single blush could mantle the cheek, it will be that we did not, when down here, dedicate ourselves more undividedly to His service.
Reader, let, us ponder these things. And may the Lord grant us a heart for Christ!
(To be continued.)