Thou shall deny Me thrice.
Danger of self-ignorance
“The Dougal, an old line of battle ship, which has been lying in Portsmouth Harbour since her return from a cruise on the China station, in 1871, has been recently docked for the purpose of alterations, so as to fit her for taking the place of the Vernon, torpedo and depot ship. During an examination of her interior, one of the workmen came across a live shell in a disused corner of the ship. The projectile must have lain where it was found for over fourteen years.” This was a startling discovery; but had no examination of the interior been required, the missile would not even now have been found. How forcibly the story illustrates the need we have for careful and frequent search into our own hearts! Possibly the projectile had been placed in the “disused corner of the ship” by an enemy; or, on the other hand, it may have been concealed ready to hurl at the foe. Anyhow, it was a dangerous thing to have stowed away, for at any moment it might have exploded, and destroyed the vessel. Self-examination is ever beneficial, and often leads to the startling discovery of some most dangerous evil that lay long concealed in the disused corners of the heart. That we may be fitted to take our right place in God’s service, and go forth to our work with His approval, let a thorough examination be made, and let all evil be removed. (Robert Spurgeon.)
Good resolutions soon forgotten
Note how suddenly even a good man is turned from good resolutions, if but a little left to himself, or if he remit but a little of his own watchfulness. In a few hours this confident disciple, who scorned to think of denying his Master, denies and forswears Him too.
1. We stand by grace, which, if not every moment renewed, we must needs fall; as in the case of a man supported by a crutch-remove the crutch, and he falls down; or set a staff upright, withdraw the hand, and you need not push it down, it goes of itself.
2. The suddenness of the temptation, which comes like lightning, and our proneness to be kindled with it.
3. The freedom of the Spirit, who comes and goes at His own pleasure.
(1) This should keep us humble, no matter how holy a state we get into. The gun may at any time suddenly disappear under a cloud.
(2) Let us watch our graces well, and forecast temptation.
(3) Let us depend on the Spirit of God to perfect and accomplish His own good motions, and leave us not to ourselves, who can quickly quench them.
4. No wonder if the righteousness of hypocrites be as the morning dew (Hosea 6:4). (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)