This is the well-known story about when Peter disowned Jesus three times. Jesus had already warned Peter, and told him about what was going to happen. When Jesus told Peter about these things, there was still peace and quiet around them and Jesus was enormously popular among the people. That is why it seemed so unrealistic and unlikely to Peter that he would ever do such a thing as to disown Jesus. So Peter blankly contradicted what Jesus said, and claimed that he would be willing not only to go to prison, but also to even die for Jesus. The other diciples said the same. (Matt.26:35,Luk.22:31-34.)

So obviously, there were no "Amens" or "Hallelujahs" when Jesus told them they were all going to leave him. None of them believed what He said, and therefore none of them took His words to heart. In spite of that, the Word Jesus spoke to them was a Word in season. Had they taken it to heart and spent time in prayer over it, they would have been better prepared for what was about to happen, but they did not. Instead they fell asleep when Jesus asked them to pray with Him in the garden of Gethsemane.

It is vitally important that we are free from people’s opinions and responses to what we say and do. Our motivation should always be to bring the right word at the right time without the constant need for appreciation and applause from people.

Jesus gave Peter a Word that he did not believe nor receive. Still what Jesus told him was what he needed to hear. Often, what we need to hear may not be what we want to hear. After Peter three times had denied that he knew Jesus, he remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him.

What was Peter’s reaction when he remembered the words of Jesus? The Norwegian version of the Bible says "He took them to heart and broke down and wept." What did he take to heart? The Word of God that convicted him about his sin and led him to repent.

Many times we have heard people testify about being helped and saved out of a difficult situation by remembering a Word from the Bible and acting upon it. Years ago when they first heard the Word, they may not have believed it, but that same word that they did not receive when they first heard it saved them years later when they took it to heart and acted upon it. The Word of God will never return empty, but will accomplish and achieve the purpose for which it was sent! (Is.55:11)

A good medical doctor knows how to find the right diagnosis for his patients and then gives them the right treatment. It would be a disaster if the doctor gave a cancer-sick patient a vitamin pill and wished him good luck with his health, just to avoid the unpleasant task of telling him the bad news about his serious situation.

In the same way it would be a disaster with fatal consequences if we as the people of God just tell people what they want to hear. We have to bring THE RIGHT WORD IN SEASON. If it will be received or not is really not our responsibility as long as we are doing what God wants us to do, in love. Our satisfaction will be that we are obeying God.

Peter remembered what Jesus said about him going to disown Him, but he also remembered that Jesus said: " And when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers." The Norwegian version says; "And when you have repented, strengthen your brothers." The words Jesus spoke to Peter showed Peter the way out of his sin; repentance! No sinner will ever benefit from a bunch of Christians saying: Peace, peace" when there is no peace. We have to show them the way out of their sin. (Jer.3:14).

The resistance against the pure, unadulterated, uncompromising Word of God will increase in the days ahead. The resistance will come from where many will not expect it. At the same time we will also meet people that are desperate for someone to show them the way out of darkness and sin.

A new unity will come among the people of God regardless of background and denomination. What will unite us is the fear of God and faith in the whole Bible as the Word of God.

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