John 18:15-40 Should Of's

My commentary pointed out how Peter went wrong.  Jesus had arranged that His disciples should go free.  Most of them were fleeing the scene in the Garden.  But Peter was following the crowd.  “Had he gone his way, he would never have denied the Lord.  While we certainly admire his love and courage, we cannot agree with his actions, for he walked right into temptation.  This is what Jesus warned him about in the Garden,” my commentary said.  It pointed out how he gradually moved into the place of temptation and sin, following Psalms 1:1.  “First, Peter walked ‘in the counsel of the ungodly’ when he followed Jesus and went to the high priest’s courtyard.  Peter should have followed the counsel of Jesus and gotten out of there in a hurry!  Then, Peter stood with the enemy by the fire, and before long, he sat with the enemy.  It was now too late, and within a short time, he would deny the Lord three times.”

We think of Peter’s remorse when he heard the cock crow three times, but my commentary said, “The crowing of the cock was assurance to Peter that Jesus was totally in control of the situation, even though He was bound and being harassed by the authorities.  By controlling ONE BIRD, Jesus affirmed His sovereignty …It was also an invitation to repentance … Jesus turned and looked at Peter, and this look of love broke Peter’s heart.  Peter had been a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and by his own denial he added to those sufferings.”

Father, help my boys and me to know when we are walking in the counsel of the ungodly.  Ring alarm bells in our heads and our hearts to get out before it becomes too late to escape temptation.  Don’t allow us to use any excuse to justify our presence where we shouldn’t be.  And thank You for continuing to reveal Your sovereignty over everything going on.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford