Why did Peter’s courage fail him?  Primarily because he hadn’t taken Jesus’ advice!  Do you remember back in Gethsemane?  Jesus had said to Peter, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Sadly three times Peter had failed to pray, and now three times he fails to identify himself with Jesus.  Sincerity and passion, in and of themselves, are not enough.  If we want to remain faithful to Jesus when the pressure is on then we need to be dependent on God and asking him for the faithfulness that he alone can give.  You might be the most naturally courageous person in this room but if you are not a person of dependant prayer there will come times when your courage will utterly fail you and you let your Saviour down.[1]

Imaginary John has just started a new job.  He hasn’t yet got around to telling his workmates that he is a Christian.  When he sees how people make fun of Jane, the other Christian in the company, he is not sure that he wants people to know that he too follows Jesus.  It’s difficult to be faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

John is told not too put certain things through the company books.  It’s explained that some transactions are best run on a ‘cash only’ basis, he knows that this is to avoid paying VAT.  John is aware that this is wrong but doesn’t want to upset his boss.  It’s difficult being faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

In the canteen the conversation revolves around dirty jokes and juicy gossip.  He believes that it is good to be friendly with these guys but he feels the pressure to laugh along at what is being said.  He doesn’t know what to do.  It is difficult being faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

Being faithful is difficult.  It is difficult for us.  As we see in this passage, it was difficult for Peter.  And remember too, it was difficult for Jesus.

Peter crumbles under pressure.

It is the night before the cross.   Jesus is in the high priest’s house where he has been tried by the Sanhedrin.  Outside in the courtyard is Peter, who has followed at a distance.  He is sitting with the guards warming himself by the fire.

One of the servant girls of the high priest comes by and sees Peter.  She looks at him closely and says, in front of the guards, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”   What a scary position Peter finds himself in!  If he admits to being one of Jesus’ disciples will they arrest him also?

Now Peter by nature is not a coward.  I reckon that if I were one of the disciples I would not have followed all the way to the high priest’s house but would be with the others wherever they had fled to.  Neither is Peter half-hearted.  After all he had been sincere when he had passionately promised Jesus, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”  However, what does he do when the pressure is really on?  He denies knowing Jesus, “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entrance.

You’re at the hairdresser or barber, you’re sitting on the train or in a taxi, you’re in school or at work and someone begins to ask you questions about yourself.  How do you feel about letting them know that you are a Christian?  Are we a bit uncomfortable with being different?  Are there times when we would rather not be thought of as a Jesus-freak?  How many times we have denied Jesus with our silence!

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