Matthew 26:69-75 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Sin in sequence.

From the trial of Jesus before the council the evangelist turns to the trial of Peter's faith. How striking is the contrast! Jesus, forsaken of his friends, and unjustly condemned and cruelly treated by his enemies, betrays no sign of fear or resentment, while Peter, with his Master's exalted example before him, shrinks from the slightest glance of recognition. The history of Peter's fall remarkably illustrates the principle of sequence in sits. We are forcibly reminded—

I. THAT PRIDE COMETH BEFORE A FALL .

1 . Some men are constitutionally self-reliant. Within proper limits, self-reliance is an admirable quality.

2 . But such are especially in danger of presumption.

II. THAT SIN MAKES OCCASION FOR SINNING .

1 . One sin leads to another.

2 . The progress of sin is accelerating.

III. THAT THE SEQUEL IS DESTRUCTION OR REPENTANCE .

1 . In the case of Judas it was destruction (see succeeding homily).

2 . In the case of Peter it was repentance.