WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.220 Amen. Amen. So we're in Matthew 26 and the camera has been focused hasn't it on the Lord Jesus very clearly on his path to the cross. 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:15.220 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:52.939 Of being exposed. Something within us that hates exposure. Public exposure of our failure. We all fear it. We've managed to kid ourselves haven't we that we are far better far more decent than we know we really are. 00:00:52.939 --> 00:01:07.939 And you very very rarely if ever meet someone who'll admit that they're a bad person. Jonathan Aitken the politician who was sent to prisoner said he never met a prisoner who couldn't justify what they did. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:22.479 And sometimes I think that we we wrap ourselves in so many layers of self-justification it becomes doesn't it a kind of impenetrable cocoon of self-delusion. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:33.780 And that's what I think makes Peter's denial so compelling and so moving. All four Gospels are very open about Peter's abject failure. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:44.879 And given that one of them Mark is Peter's own eyewitness account it seems extraordinary that none of them airbrush what is stupendous failure. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:50.780 There are no excuses offered no extenuating circumstances. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:56.900 It's it's it's one of the things that makes the Gospels so compelling and so self-authenticating. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:01.780 That they really are open about the failures of the eyewitnesses. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.359 Whereas normally eyewitness accounts airbrush over the failures. 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:11.280 And we've got to ask ourselves what is it that Peter wants us to realize. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:18.419 What does Peter want us to realize as he makes public this incident that that only he would have known about. 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:23.199 He must have told it mustn't he again and again in in the early church. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:27.419 And what is it that the apostle feels that you and I need to know this morning. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:30.839 Because they include it in such graphic detail. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:34.019 And so let's let's learn the lesson. 00:02:34.959 --> 00:02:37.799 First of all we'll see Peter's proud presumption. 00:02:38.579 --> 00:02:40.699 Peter's proud presumption. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:46.419 That if ever you and I are to be acceptable to God. 00:02:47.279 --> 00:02:50.119 You and I need to come to terms with our spiritual failure. 00:02:51.179 --> 00:02:52.339 With our weakness. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:57.740 That we have nothing to offer God except our sin. 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:01.460 The flesh is weak and however committed you are. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:04.080 And courageous or convinced we may be. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:08.360 Apart from Jesus Christ we will always find ourselves failing. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:15.219 And if only we can peel back the layers of our self-justification and come clean. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:19.099 We have to confess that we're weak beyond our imagining. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:27.219 And I think Peter's failure is all the more dramatic because of his privilege. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:30.319 Peter is such a fine man. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:34.780 He has such a privileged position amongst the disciples. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:36.680 He is the first one to be called. 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:40.199 And so when Matthew gives the list of the disciples. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:42.299 He says first Peter. 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:42.380 Peter. 00:03:43.100 --> 00:03:45.580 He's given the name Peter by Jesus. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.000 Because the name sounds like rock. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:50.900 On which God is going to build his church. 00:03:51.320 --> 00:03:53.200 And Peter is told with the other disciples. 00:03:53.660 --> 00:03:55.180 That he will judge. 00:03:55.880 --> 00:03:59.400 That he will sit on the throne and judge everyone else alongside Jesus. 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:03.720 So he is in a hugely privileged position. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:08.500 He's been extraordinarily privileged in the revelation that he's been given. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:13.400 He's one of the three disciples who's taken up onto the Mount of Transfiguration. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:17.800 And they see Jesus in all his splendor and all his glory. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:26.600 Peter says later on that even angels long to look into the things that I have seen. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:28.939 And Jesus says to Peter. 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:30.820 Blessed are you Peter. 00:04:31.280 --> 00:04:33.600 Because my father has revealed this to you. 00:04:34.960 --> 00:04:43.120 And Jesus tells Peter that the prophets and the righteous people longed to look into what he saw. 00:04:44.200 --> 00:04:46.360 So Peter is privileged in his position. 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:49.820 He's privileged in what he has shown. 00:04:50.760 --> 00:04:53.060 He is unique in his perception. 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:57.920 And so when Jesus says who do people think that I am? 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:59.180 Who do you think that I am? 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:00.780 He says you are the Holy One of God. 00:05:02.280 --> 00:05:06.160 He tells Jesus you are the one who has the words of eternal life. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.259 To whom else shall we go? 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:11.600 It is Peter who testifies that Jesus is the Christ. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:13.019 The Son of the Living God. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:14.100 He is privileged. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:19.399 And I think it's easy to romanticize this picture. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:22.379 And to think of Peter as being foolhardy. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:23.680 And actually he's very courageous. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:26.939 And so of all the twelve disciples. 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:30.459 Who is the one who gets out of the boat in the middle of the night? 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:33.699 When he sees Jesus walking towards him on the water. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:36.379 And says Lord if it is you. 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:39.219 Let me come to you walking on the water. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:39.879 It is Peter. 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:41.600 Would you have done that? 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:47.600 A couple of weeks ago we saw that when Jesus comes to be arrested. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:51.780 And the crowds come to him with their clubs and their swords. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:57.340 It is Peter who gets out his sword and lops off the servant of the high priest here. 00:05:59.580 --> 00:06:00.840 It's foolhardy. 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:03.359 But it is brave. 00:06:05.099 --> 00:06:07.959 It is Peter who is the one in verse 58. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:08.779 It's still there. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:13.099 In verse 56 all the other disciples have left and fled. 00:06:13.219 --> 00:06:13.959 But there is Peter. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:14.819 Look at verse 58. 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:17.239 Was following him at a distance. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:21.860 It's very poignant. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:26.079 It's Peter who is the man who is stuck. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:28.280 He's the one isn't he? 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:32.400 In chapter 26 in verses 31 to 33 if you glance there. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:35.739 Jesus says. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:38.560 You will all fall away because of me this night. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.199 For it is written I will strike the shepherd. 00:06:40.419 --> 00:06:42.000 And the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:45.039 But after I am raised up I will go before you into Galilee. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:46.699 And Peter answered him. 00:06:47.479 --> 00:06:49.039 Though they all fall away because of you. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:50.839 I will never fall away. 00:06:52.159 --> 00:06:52.939 And Jesus said to him. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:55.560 Truly I tell you this very night before the rooster crows. 00:06:55.659 --> 00:06:57.120 You will deny me three times. 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:58.519 And Peter said to him. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:00.539 Even if I must die with you. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.239 I will not. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.060 Deny you. 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:06.899 And all the apostles said the same. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.279 But for all his great privilege. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:13.379 And for all his great courage. 00:07:14.739 --> 00:07:16.479 And for all his great commitment. 00:07:16.799 --> 00:07:20.199 I think that makes Peter's fall secondly all the more intense. 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:21.060 Peter's fall. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:27.060 No disciple was placed higher than Peter. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.679 And no disciple fell lower. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:34.620 No one protested loyalty more insistently. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:38.360 And no one denied Jesus more inexcusably. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:42.060 He who thought he could stand. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:44.160 Has fallen terribly. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:46.220 It's pathetic. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:47.660 Look with me at verse 69. 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:48.420 Verse 69. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:51.160 Verse 69. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:52.920 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.360 And a servant girl. 00:07:56.400 --> 00:07:58.080 Came up to him and said. 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:01.140 You also were with Jesus. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.520 The Galilean. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.039 But he denied it. 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:09.539 It's just a servant girl. 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:10.959 A wife of a girl literally. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:13.479 What was she doing? 00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:15.099 Was she offering him a drink? 00:08:15.219 --> 00:08:16.680 Was she taking the orders? 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:17.680 We don't know. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:19.519 Was she off duty? 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:20.919 There's certainly no threat of violence. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:23.979 There's no power to arrest him that she has. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.539 She just comes up to Peter in the courtyard. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:28.719 Just a servant girl. 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:29.699 And she says. 00:08:30.299 --> 00:08:31.799 You are one of them aren't you? 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.079 And his denial is pathetic. 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.379 It's public. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:36.579 Look at verse 70. 00:08:37.579 --> 00:08:40.600 But he denied it before them all. 00:08:42.439 --> 00:08:42.919 Saying. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:44.719 I do not know. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:45.919 What you mean. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:50.799 When he went out to the entrance. 00:08:50.939 --> 00:08:51.740 Another servant girl. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:52.360 Saw him. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:53.439 And she said to the bystanders. 00:08:53.479 --> 00:08:55.379 This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. 00:08:56.219 --> 00:08:57.139 And again. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:58.339 He denied it. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.879 With an oath. 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:02.299 I do not know this man. 00:09:04.719 --> 00:09:05.659 And after a little while. 00:09:05.699 --> 00:09:07.019 The bystanders came up and said to Peter. 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:08.939 Certainly you are one of them. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:11.360 Your accent betrays you. 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:15.299 And then he began to invoke a curse. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.059 It is public. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.039 It is pathetic. 00:09:20.959 --> 00:09:22.159 It is emphatic. 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.779 He denied it. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:26.199 Before them all. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:28.559 He denied it. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.679 With an oath. 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:31.679 I do not know the man. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:34.120 And then he began to invoke a curse. 00:09:35.719 --> 00:09:36.319 The on himself. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:38.079 Isn't actually there. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:41.139 He began to invoke a curse. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:44.480 It could be that he began to invoke a curse on Jesus. 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.460 Just as the early church. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:49.259 Were told to do by the Romans. 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:52.379 To show that they had no allegiance to Jesus. 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.240 Cursed Jesus. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.899 He began to invoke a curse. 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:56.639 And to swear. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.500 I do not know the man. 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:58.159 It is pathetic. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.500 It is public. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.960 It is emphatic. 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:04.080 Do you see what Peter is doing? 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:06.639 This committed. 00:10:07.420 --> 00:10:08.720 And privileged. 00:10:09.040 --> 00:10:10.200 And courageous man. 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.120 Is distancing. 00:10:11.520 --> 00:10:13.240 Distancing himself publicly. 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:14.600 And emphatically. 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:15.740 From the Holy One of God. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:19.379 And Jesus said. 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:21.500 He who does not honour me. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.259 Does not honour the Father. 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.340 Jesus said. 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:26.620 Whoever denies me. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:27.560 Before men. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.060 I also will deny. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:31.699 And this is a public. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.439 Emphatic. 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:33.259 Denial. 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.899 And surely we have to say. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:37.239 Right. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:39.039 Towards the end of this gospel. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.699 That Peter's denial. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:41.899 Is placed here. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.179 That even the most. 00:10:43.939 --> 00:10:44.659 Privileged. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.279 And committed. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:47.639 And courageous. 00:10:47.959 --> 00:10:48.459 Disciple. 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.079 Has absolutely nothing. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:50.959 To offer God. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.379 Apart from their own weakness. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.580 Peter. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:57.799 The apostle. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.019 Says to us. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.939 That the church. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.580 May be built on the rock. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.399 Cephas. 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:03.860 But I am the chief of sinners. 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:07.100 And the striking thing here. 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:08.679 Is that there is nothing new. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.639 About this lesson. 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:11.879 There is nothing new. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.419 About this lesson. 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:14.179 That we must come clean. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.480 And be open. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.440 About our abject weakness. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.539 It's run. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.679 Right the way through. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:21.620 Matthew's gospel. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:22.580 Do you remember. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.040 Blessed are the. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.120 Poor in spirit. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.700 Blessed are those. 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:29.460 Who recognize. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.440 Their abject. 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.300 Weakness. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.620 And so one of the. 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:34.259 Chief functions. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:34.840 Of the sermon. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.259 On the mount. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.300 From Matthew 5 to 7. 00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:37.060 Is to show. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.120 You and I. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:39.580 Our weakness. 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:40.860 To drive us. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.780 To our knees. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.639 To recognize. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:44.340 Our own. 00:11:44.560 --> 00:11:45.600 Spiritual weakness. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.560 Just a few days. 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:47.840 Earlier. 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.560 Jesus had said. 00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:49.440 Unless you become. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.580 Like a child. 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:52.820 You will never. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:53.440 Enter the kingdom. 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:53.920 Of heaven. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.700 Saying. 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.000 I've got. 00:11:56.020 --> 00:11:56.600 I've got nothing. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.420 To offer you Lord. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.060 I can only. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.280 Bring you my failure. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.000 My spiritual weakness. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.080 And unless you. 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:04.100 Become like that. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.320 You will never. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:05.900 Enter. 00:12:06.400 --> 00:12:06.700 The kingdom. 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:07.240 Of God. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.620 And all the way. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.500 Through the gospels. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:11.519 The disciples. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.440 Refused to see it. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.620 So Jesus says. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:15.560 To the disciples. 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.440 Can you drink. 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.080 The cup. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.379 That I will drink. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:19.960 And the disciples. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:20.399 Say yeah. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.419 Of course we can. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:21.919 And yet. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:23.200 They all fled. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:23.740 Into the night. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:26.039 And Jesus says. 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:26.379 To Peter. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.279 You will all run away. 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.180 And flee. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:29.799 And Peter says. 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.560 Even if I must. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.680 Die with you. 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:33.159 I will not deny you. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:35.480 And all the disciples. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.120 Said the same. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:36.960 And they all fled. 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:37.560 Into the night. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.820 And Peter says. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.879 They might all run away. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.440 From you Lord. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.740 But I will never run away. 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:45.220 I will never fall away. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.980 And then that very night. 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:49.139 Peter invokes a curse. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:51.279 And swears. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.779 I do not know the man. 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.580 Why is it that Peter. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.159 Puts that in. 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.600 Why is Peter. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.379 Insisted on this. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.100 Being included. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:03.139 In the gospels. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.620 Why is Peter. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.220 So open. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.220 About his abject. 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:07.779 Failure. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.620 When everything. 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.179 Within us. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:09.840 Wants to keep. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.639 This sort of stuff. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:10.960 Hidden. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.179 And surely. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.740 It is to show us. 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.580 That until we. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.279 Grasp. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:17.940 That we have. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.560 Nothing. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.700 To offer God. 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:21.259 Except our spiritual. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:21.879 Weakness. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.560 And failure. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.899 And unless we become. 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:24.759 Like a little child. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.080 We'll. 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.120 We'll never enter. 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:29.740 And have you. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.460 Learned that yet. 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:34.780 Some of us. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:34.800 Some of us. 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.280 We've been disciples. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.519 A long time. 00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:38.820 And you and I. 00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:39.840 Need to keep learning that. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.980 We can so easily. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.900 Fall into thinking. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.040 That we've got something. 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.580 To offer. 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:47.379 We have been so privileged. 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:48.840 We've learned so much. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:49.960 But the truth is. 00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:50.600 Nothing. 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.680 In my hands. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.300 I bring. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:55.219 Simply. 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.679 To your cross. 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.439 I cling. 00:13:58.479 --> 00:13:59.039 Naked. 00:13:59.359 --> 00:13:59.659 Come. 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:01.079 To you for dress. 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.579 Helpless. 00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:02.699 Look to you for grace. 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:06.039 I'd like you to think. 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:06.659 For a moment. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.019 Of. 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.939 The godliest person. 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:09.839 That you know. 00:14:11.099 --> 00:14:11.879 The most. 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:12.819 Spiritual. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.479 Man. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.039 Or. 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:14.839 Woman. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.199 That you can think of. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.879 I hope you're not thinking of yourself. 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.899 But think of that. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.620 That person. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.779 You admire most. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.879 For their godliness. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.860 And let me tell you. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.759 They have nothing. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.659 Nothing. 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.440 Nothing. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.100 To offer to God. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.240 Apart from their sin. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.240 I wonder if you can think of. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:39.220 The most gifted man. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:39.679 Or woman. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:40.960 You know. 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.159 Think of the most generous. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:44.440 Person. 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.620 That you know. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.399 And here is Peter. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:47.419 The most privileged. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.779 The most hugely committed. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:50.519 The most immensely courageous. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:53.579 He's had spiritual experiences. 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.379 Like none of us have had. 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.259 And he has to learn. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.439 On the eve of the cross. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.840 That he is an abject. 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:02.539 Failure. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:05.120 And it took the disciples. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.639 So long to realize this. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:06.939 And. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.419 It's taken me so long. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.399 To realize this. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:12.059 And it's why we've got to try and drive it home this morning. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.059 That if it took the disciples lesson. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.860 After lesson. 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.600 After lesson. 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:18.139 To really learn this. 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.220 That they really are so weak. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:23.399 It makes me think. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.779 That it's a problem for us. 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:25.080 Isn't it? 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:27.100 That we think God must accept me. 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:28.200 Because I know so much. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.779 Or I've seen so much. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.879 Or I'm so courageous. 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.180 I would never desert him. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.040 I serve in the church. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.500 I give generously. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.560 Or I lead in ministries. 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.480 Or small groups. 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.800 And Peter would say. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.259 Really? 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:48.480 I'm self-justifying. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.159 And there's self-delusion. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.679 I used to think. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.779 In that way. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.399 Said Peter. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:01.439 And I wonder if you've come to realize. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.980 How weak you are. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.299 And let me suggest. 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:07.580 If we think we have some. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.080 Track record. 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.899 And we are able to stand. 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:14.519 And we're not weak. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.620 Well I wonder whether we've understood. 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.519 The gospel at all. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.580 You believe he's the Holy One of God. 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:25.960 Do you? 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.000 You believe he has the words. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.700 Of eternal life. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.039 Do you? 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:32.319 You offer to follow him. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.379 Wherever he leads you. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.679 I trust you do. 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.259 And so has there been. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.720 An action. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.600 Or a thought. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.899 I do not know this man. 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:45.899 So on the one hand. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:47.059 This is what's going on. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.700 In this incident. 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:52.000 It's here to show us our weakness. 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.299 But. 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.679 There's another reason. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.960 And if this was just here. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.399 To show us our spiritual failures. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:57.659 Well. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.399 We would. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.500 All turn off the. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.539 Internet. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.299 Full of gloom. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.000 And despondency. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.399 Wouldn't we? 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.720 We'd just produce guilt. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.440 And desperation. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:09.059 But I want you to notice. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.480 How. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.340 Peter's failure. 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.880 Is interwoven. 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.440 Into the whole fabric. 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.360 Of this chapter. 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.580 Very often. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.500 If you look at expositions. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.720 Of Matthew 26. 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.400 And 27. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.279 This section. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.980 Is actually hardly ever dealt with. 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:23.440 Interestingly. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.340 And I think that misses. 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:26.160 The whole point. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:27.000 Of the passage. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.519 It's my last point. 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.460 The point of the passage. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.900 That even as you look. 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.380 Across the page. 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:33.900 Can you see it? 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.759 The title in verse. 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:36.900 57. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.420 Is Jesus before. 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:39.700 Caiaphas. 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.340 Or the counselor. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.600 It might be Jesus on trial. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.600 Before Caiaphas. 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.800 But here at the end. 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.500 Of Matthew 26. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:47.080 We've got Peter on trial. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.280 Peter before this. 00:17:51.540 --> 00:17:52.140 Servant girl. 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.560 Jesus before. 00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:55.519 Caiaphas. 00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:57.320 And what we're being. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:57.960 Is. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.580 We're given a contrast. 00:17:59.780 --> 00:18:00.780 Of abject. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.740 Failure. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.540 Of humanity. 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:05.480 That cannot stand up. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.740 And cannot do the right thing. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.299 With God. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.740 Side by side. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.980 With the selfless. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.059 Sacrifice. 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.599 Of Jesus. 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.920 And so Peter. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.859 In the end of Matthew 26. 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.099 He stands. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:17.879 Small. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.399 And fails. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.599 And is humbled. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.599 But throughout Matthew 26. 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.420 Jesus stands. 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.220 As the hero. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.480 Jesus is on trial. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.899 Before the 70 elders. 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.980 Of the Sanhedrin. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:32.000 Jesus himself. 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.839 Approaches his betrayer. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.620 Jesus will not fight. 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.039 Those who come to arrest him. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.299 Jesus faces false charges. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.460 And yet he is innocent. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.940 Jesus will not open his mouth. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.200 During a sham trial. 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:46.660 And Jesus finally speaks. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:48.680 To utter the absolute truth. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.920 That will take him. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.759 To his death. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.120 And they spit on Jesus. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.460 And they strike Jesus. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.900 And they slap Jesus in the face. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.540 And they determine. 00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:00.980 To kill Jesus. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:03.560 And they bind Jesus. 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.180 And they deliver Jesus. 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.220 Over to death. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.720 And Jesus goes. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.480 Willingly. 00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:09.540 To his death. 00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:10.540 And obediently. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.060 To his death. 00:19:12.280 --> 00:19:13.180 And deliberately. 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.440 To his death. 00:19:14.780 --> 00:19:15.759 And selflessly. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.000 To his death. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.500 And sacrificially. 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.500 To his death. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.140 To carry God's judgment. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.600 At our failure. 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:24.920 And Jesus goes. 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.700 Sovereignly. 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.500 To his death. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.480 As part of God's. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.500 Great plan. 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.460 To carry out. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.220 God's judgment. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.140 At our failure. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.839 In his body. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.380 On the tree. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.240 And so here we have. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:38.700 Peter. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.660 Failing. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.059 Before the servant girl. 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.440 But here is Jesus. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.440 The selfless. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.259 Substitute. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:47.599 Who does what no human being. 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.380 Has ever done. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.799 He tells the truth. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.539 Perfectly. 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.779 And so the later on. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.380 In his writings. 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.140 Peter can say. 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.360 Christ died. 00:19:57.020 --> 00:19:57.880 For sins. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.880 The just. 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.480 For the unjust. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.560 To bring us to God. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.600 He bore. 00:20:06.020 --> 00:20:06.880 Our sins. 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:08.300 In his body. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.960 On the tree. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.920 And Peter. 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.100 Wants you to know. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.800 This morning. 00:20:14.060 --> 00:20:15.100 That you can come clean. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.759 And you can. 00:20:19.060 --> 00:20:20.140 Actually come clean. 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:20.960 You can come out. 00:20:21.040 --> 00:20:21.880 Into the open. 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.480 And you can express. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.860 Your weakness. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.880 And your failure. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.640 To God. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.420 And your inability. 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.640 To stand with him. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.720 And as we do that. 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:37.080 We find that there is one. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.020 Who can deal with it. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.680 The spotless. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.120 Lamb of God. 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:44.899 Who takes away. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.479 The sin of the world. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.399 Jesus. 00:20:49.179 --> 00:20:50.079 The selfless. 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.639 Substitute. 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:55.039 Let's pray together. 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.480 00:20:55.480 --> 00:21:25.460 Thank you.