In this morning’s text, Jesus is ashamed of Peter. Peter denies the Lord. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter” (v 61). What a haunting look that must have been! What if Jesus were to look at me?

Sinful living makes the Lord ashamed!

Luke 22:54-62

Peter followed at a distance. John also followed Jesus, and because John knew the high priest, he and Peter were able to get inside (Jn 18:15-18). The other disciples apparently fled. “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered’” (Matt 26:31).

Peter really messes up

Peter lied. Lying makes us a child of the devil (Jn 8:44). “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:8). Peter stuck with his lie. There is a clear passage of time between Peter’s lies. Verse 59: “After about an hour had passed.”

Why would I say that Jesus was ashamed of Peter? “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Lk 9:26). The context of Luke 9:23-26 is about following Him even to death. Jesus speaks of taking up our cross and following Him. To us “a cross to bear” means some struggle. That’s not at all what we would have thought if we saw people carrying their crosses up Golgotha to die on them. Jesus speaks of losing our lives for His sake. Self-denial is certainly there. Yet, for the disciples and all early Christians, losing one’s life was often very literal. Why do you think Peter denied the Lord? His whole motivation was to keep himself out of trouble. Jesus says that He’s ashamed of one who lives like that!

Sinful living makes the Lord ashamed!

Do we really have any idea at how grieved God is when we sin? He was grieved in His heart “The L ORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Gen 6:6). grieve the Holy Spirit of God “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30).

How do we keep from shaming the Lord?

Step One: Watch your Attitude. Jesus told Peter that h would fall (Lk 22:31-32). Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” (Lk 22:33). never We’re in trouble when we say, “I’ll never commit that sin.” “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18). “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).

How do we take heed lest we fall? Remember how deceptive your heart is. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer 17:9). Remember that you are sinful. “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin)” (1 Ki 8:46). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10). Remember to exercise spiritual virtues (2 Pet 1:5-11). “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet 1:10).

Step Two: Watch your Authority (i.e., the Word of God). Jesus: “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me” (Lk 22:34). What if Peter had taken those words to heart and not sinned against the Lord?

If we’re to keep from stumbling, we need to know the Word of God. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” (Ps 119:11). “All Scripture is... profitable for... instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Spending serious time in Scripture.

Step Three: Watch your Appeal (i.e., your prayer life). on the night Jesus on the night of Peter’s denial: “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Lk 22:40). “Do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one” (Matt 6:13).

Do you need us to pray for you this morning?