Mark 14:30 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, you shall deny me thrice. Note how suddenly even a good man is turned from good resolutions, if but a little left to himself, or if he remit but a little of his own watchfulness. In a few hours this confident disciple, who scorned to think of denying his Master, denies and forswears Him too. 1. We stand by grace, which, if not every moment renewed, we must needs fall; as in the case of a man supported by a crutch — remove the crutch, and he falls down; or set a staff upright, withdraw the hand, and you need not push it down, it goes of itself. 2. The suddenness of the temptation, which comes like lightning, and our proneness to be kindled with it. 3. The freedom of the Spirit, who comes and goes at His own pleasure. (1) This should keep us humble, no matter how holy a state we get into. The gun may at any time suddenly disappear under a cloud. (2) Let us watch our graces well, and forecast temptation. (3) Let us depend on the Spirit of God to perfect and accomplish His own good motions, and leave us not to ourselves, who can quickly quench them. 4. No wonder if the righteousness of hypocrites be as the morning dew (Hosea 6:4). (Dr. Thomas Taylor.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. |
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