2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Exodus 32:1-33:23 ESV, Matthew 26:69-27:14 ESV, Psalm 33:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 8:33-36 ESV
Daily Verse: “But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” (Matthew 26:70 ESV)
ARNEOMAI (720): “To contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate. Forsake, or renounce a thing.”[i]
Everyone denies.
Peter, the beloved disciple who walked with Christ, denied Him. Not wanting to suffer, when asked if he knew Jesus, Peter responded, “I do not know the man.” (vs. 72). Jesus knew Peter’s answer in advance:
“Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:74 ESV)
Inevitably, we all deny Christ at some point or another. When we decide to go against Jesus’ teachings, the decision denies Christ. Our actions speak louder than words when we consciously do something that contrasts God’s word. As Peter did, we feel remorse for our activities, realizing our mistake. Just like Jesus forgave Peter, He forgives us.
Don’t deny.
When I began my adult journey following Jesus, I faced the challenge of denying Christ. In my late 20’s, training for a new job, I attended a seminar in Florida. Surrounded by assumed non-believers, someone started a spiritual conversation, asking each of us what we believed. One verse ran through my mind:
“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33 ESV)
Petrified, when my turn came to answer the question, I quietly said, “I love Jesus.” To my surprise, the guy next to me said, “Hallelujah, praise the Lord. My aunt says, I’m lost, but I ain’t lost. I love Jesus too!”
Don’t deny Jesus. Stand for the One who hung for you. Watch in amazement as God blesses your faithfulness.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 41) Thomas Nelson
