Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE

BIBt£>STUDT'ON 6T. PETER SIFTED LIKE WHEAT. Mark 14:27-31, 53, 54, 66-72.—Nov. 15. “I* him that ihinketh he itandeth, take heed test he fall.’’—! Corinthians 10:0. CODAT’S lesson deals with the special sifting which came to SL Peter at the time of ouf Lord’s death, and of which ho was forewarned by Jesus, flaying, “Simon, behold Satan bath desired to hare you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I hare prayed for you. that your faith fail not.” St Peter’s courage was his weak point Notwithstanding all that Jesus had said to warn him, he realized no fear. Hence he did comparatively little watching and praying, and his very self-confidence led his undoing for a time. Hia Hour Had Como. Temptations come in an insidious form. We cannot imagine that at the time when St Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant he had any sympathy with the thought of denying our Lord. But circumstances and conditions had changed. The Master was taken prisoner. Whatever power He had previously exercised whereby He walked away from His enemies, and they could not take Him because His “hour had not yet come.” that power He evidently was not exercising now His hour

had come. To see his Master apparently without friends in Heaven, delivered over to His enemies and led from one tribunal to the other, had a paralyzing effect upon St Peter. Ells courage oozed out St John had such an acquaint-

ance with some one connected with the palace that he was permitted to enter the court and bring St Peter with him; but they had separated. St Peter was in the courtyard. It was cold, and he approached an open brazier to warm himself, in the light of the court surrounded by the gossiping servants of the palace, be was keenly scrutinized by one of the maids, who said, “Thou art also a disciple of the Nazarene.” Stunned by the Identification and wondering to what it might lead, St. Peter promptly denied that be had any knowledge of Jesus. Then he moved awny to another part of the court where the shadows were deeper and tbe people fewer. But again he was recognized as a Galilean, and accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples. Again he denied. The third time he was approached with the same charge that he was one of Jesus’ disciples and a^ Galilean, and that his speech betrayed him. Again, with cursing, he denied that be knew his Master. The Master’s Words Fulfilled. Terrible! we say. And surely St Peter felt afterward that it was terrible; for just at that time, the early morning, came the beginning of cqpkcrowing, and he remembered the Master's words, that Satan had desired to sift him as wheat; and that before the cock crew, he would have denied his Master three times. The whole matter came upon him with crushing force; and, wrapping his cloak about bis head, be hastened* away into tbe darkness, weeping bitterly; for jdst about the time that the cock crew, Jesus was led forth not far from him; and as he looked at Jesus, the Master lifted up his eyes and looked at St. Peter. It was a glance full of sympathy, not of anger; but it went straight to the heart of SL Peter. SL Peter's crime was nothing like that of Judas; he bad merely sought

to protect himself. He had not sought to injure or even to risk the injury of his Master. The thoroughness of St. Pe t e r’s repentance is abundantly testified by his subsequent loyalty even unto death. Tradition has it that he was

condemned to be crucified; that, remembering how once he had denied his Master, he felt that it would be too great an honor to share exactly the same death; and that at his own request he was crucified head downward. The Lesson to All Christians. Our Golden Text voices to all Christians the lesson of SL Peter's experiences—" Let him that thlnketb he standeth, take heed lest he fall." When we are weak in our own estimation and, full of faith, cling tenaciously to the Arm of the Lord, then we are really strong in the might which God supplies through His Son, our Lord Jesus. Another le'sson is that however different the experiences of God’s people, all who fall into line for the great promotion to the First Resurrection must expect to endure severe siftings, testings, provings, of their love for the Lord, their love for the Truth, their love for the brethren, and of their loyalty to all these. ~ Let us never forget that these siftings are permitted, not because the Lord wishes us to be sifted out, nor because He has no interest in us, but because only those who can stand siftings, trials and tests, are fit for places in the Kingdom—places of responsibility and trust -

St. Peter Voicing Allegiance.

St. Peter’s Denial.