26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech betrayed you. 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 26:75 And Peter remembered the word (o. rhema) of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:71-75 KJV)

          Most people have that someone (BFF) that is always there and will have your back no matter what. Those that do not are called an introvert, loner, nerd, friendless, etc. That was not the case of Jesus. He had many followers, especially His twelve disciples that stood with Him through all things except in the end. Paul was the glowing example.

          There are examples today and some of them are glowing examples. Ex-President Trump has many followers that will do and say anything that he desires. When some are caught up in a legal bind because of him they suddenly try to distance themselves from him. I want to rename this trend ‘the Paul syndrome’.

          When I was in the military, I used to tell my guys ‘You have my back, and I will have your back’. Unlike Trump, I also used to say, ‘I will never tell you to do something I am not doing, will not do, or have not done’. It worked out well because they knew I was not lying to them, and I showed it as proof.

          The crowds wanted Jesus to set up a political kingdom. But those that listened carefully to his words realized that the primary dimension of Jesus’ reign was a commitment to obey the spiritual demands of the King. Jesus did not come to overthrow Rome, but to change the hearts of those who put their trust in Him.

          This new kingdom exists wherever Jesus reigns as King. Jesus reigns in the hearts of those who follow Him. Jesus reigns in the Christian community. We participate in the kingdom of Heaven when we pledge our allegiance to the King. When you have the King’s back, He will have yours. Keep God’s commandments and you will have everlasting life. Disobey God and/or do not keep His commandments you will be on your own and Satan will have control over your soul.

          To deny Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is detrimental to your body and, especially, soul. Why would you want to deny, deny, deny? There is not anything that this world can do to you that God can not correct, in this life or in Heaven. Know the Lord and He will know you. Love God with all your heart and soul as God loves you.