Stand for the King
Peter (69-75)
1st Denial (69-70)
2nd Denial (71-72)
But Peter’s second denial had given him away. From his speech, it was clear that he was a Galilaean. The Galilaeans spoke with a burr; so ugly was their accent that no Galilaean was allowed to pronounce the benediction at a synagogue service.
3rd Denial (73-74)
But before we condemn him, we must remember very clearly that few of us would ever have had the courage to be in that courtyard at all. And there is one last thing to be said—it was love which gave Peter that courage; it was love which riveted him there in spite of the fact that he had been recognized three times; it was love which made him remember the words of Jesus; it was love which sent him out into the night to weep—and it is love which covers a multitude of sins. The lasting impression of this whole story is not of Peter’s cowardice, but of Peter’s love.
Response (75)
Judas (1-10)
Judas Regrets (3)
See here how Judas repented: not like Peter, who repented, believed, and was pardoned: no, he repented, despaired, and was ruined. Now observe here,
He throws himself into the fire, to avoid the flame; but miserable is the case when a man must go to hell for ease.
And self-murder, though prescribed by some of the heathen moralists, is certainly a remedy worse than the disease, how bad soever the disease may be. Let us watch against the beginnings of melancholy, and pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation.
Judas Returns (3-5)
He throws himself into the fire, to avoid the flame; but miserable is the case when a man must go to hell for ease.