The Dance of Denial

The Dance of Denial
Words of Faith 4-12-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 14
[66] While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. [67] When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
"You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
[68] But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.
[69] When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." [70] Again, he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
[71] He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."
[72] Immediately, the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Denial sneaks up on us. We never set out to deny Jesus but we drift a bit and begin to follow at a distance. The fellowship with other disciples becomes strained, and we start doing it alone. Then, we find that there is comfort around the fires of the world. These "worldly" folks are not so bad. After all, wasn't the mission to reach the world? How can it hurt to spend a little time by their fires?
Then, one day, someone brings up Jesus. It takes us a little by surprise because we didn't even think these people knew about Jesus. It might be a misinformed statement about Him or a cynical comment about His followers. Still, there is an invitation to claim Jesus in front of these people who do not understand Him. And at that moment, either by our words or silence, we clearly say, "I don't understand what you're talking about..." "I won't claim Him at this point because it might be awkward... there will be a better time." In that moment, we become a little more a part of the worldly group and less of a disciple. The first denial is always passive. It is always a surprise for which we were not prepared. But it sets the foundation.

The subsequent denial is usually much more direct. We would not have fallen for it the first time, but now we are a little warmer because of the fires of the world. Something is said not about Jesus but about US. "This fellow was with them." "I thought you were a Christian!" "We would invite you to the party, but we heard you were a Christian." This denial comes with more resolve. "Not me." "Naw, don't worry about me."
The last denial may come after we have warmed ourselves around the fires of the world for quite some time. We have been there amid the worldly talk and chatter. We are now fitting in quite well. We not only laugh at the off-color jokes, we tell them. But there is still something that we cannot hide. Just as Peter carried the thick accent of Galilee everywhere, there is something about Jesus within us that cannot be hidden no matter how long we warm ourselves around the fires of the world. There is something undeniably different about a believer in Christ that does not go away easily. It is hard to cover up the light. Jesus inside us continues to bear witness even when we talk and walk like the world. It is a strange testimony to see life glowing in a person who is trying to talk about death. So, someone asks directly.
"Aren't you a Christian?" "Don't you follow Jesus?" "I can tell you are one of His followers." Then something happens that we never dreamed possible. It would not have happened the first time or even the second. But the struggle to suppress the life within us has grown strong. Jesus in us is like a hot coal swallowed deep within that will not stop burning. Only the strongest of terms will suffice, so we curse at that moment. As if to prove that the life they can clearly see is not there. We deny the life with a curse… and a rooster crows. And we remember. And we wonder how we ever got to such a place as this. And we break down and weep.

Lord, give me the strength to walk away from the fires of the world. Give me grace and resolve to speak Your name boldly. Forgive me for my denials, both in words and in silence. Give me the grace to walk close to You every day of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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