Peter Denies Jesus Matt 26:69-75 // Mark 14:66-72 // Luke 22:54-62 // John 18:15-18, 25-27
69Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
70But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
Peter was blessed indeed. His heart was broken and crushed by his sin. This kind of remorse doesn’t come from simply knowing you are wrong. This type of sorrow only comes when you are blessed with living in the presence of the Lord, and then fall. This is a Godly sorrow and I pray that God would bless us all with bitter tears when we sin or walk away from Him.
Peter made a lot of mistakes here. He went into enemy territory. If you are among people who have no desire to know Jesus, expect to be tempted. We have already discussed that he thought he was above denying Jesus and such pride is a door to sin. And when he sinned the first time he didn’t even recognize it and run from the temptation.
Peter also did a few things right. He wanted to stay close to Jesus. Not too close, but closer than the rest. He was willing to take a chance to be near him and know what happened. Give Peter that, he could be bold. In the future he would be very bold and not deny Jesus even though it did cost him his life.
Lord, give me a deep and Godly sorrow for my sins. Let my heart be crushed every time I distance myself from you by my foolish pride or selfish actions. Change me Lord. *obbs*
