Command 28: Deny Yourself
Study Question
Q: Why did Jesus rebuke Peter for trying to protect Him and forgive those who actually killed Him? (See John 18:10–11 and Luke 23:34.)
A: When a detachment of soldiers arrived at the Mount of Olives to arrest Jesus, Peter attempted to protect Him by striking the high priest’s servant with a sword. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11).
Peter did not yet understand that a believer conquers through his death and not through his life. This powerful truth is the reason Jesus rebuked Peter for trying to protect His physical body and also forgave those who crucified Him. As He was hanging on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He was saying, in effect, “They do not know that what they are doing is fulfilling all the prophecies of Scripture and conquering the power of Satan.”
It is easy to believe that we experience the good things of life by guarding our lives. In reality, we enjoy the good things in life by losing our lives for Christ's sake. This is the message that Jesus continued to teach after giving the command to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
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This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 4, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.