Peter Denies Jesus

John 18:25-27

This text is the fulfillment of Jesus’ statement in John 13:37-38, where we read this interaction between Jesus and Peter:

“37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

Jesus was right. With his life on the line, Peter lied about following Jesus to avoid arrest or execution. In a moment of testing, Peter bowed to his fear instead of trusting that God would keep him in this life and the next.

Looking back on Peter’s story, this is pretty uncharacteristic of him. Recall when Jesus called Peter (also called Simon) in Luke chapter 5. Jesus approached Zebedee and his sons, who were fishing, and miraculously filled their nets with fish. Look at Peter’s response:

“8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” …Then Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on, you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him.”

When Jesus called Peter, Peter left everything to follow Him. As a fisherman, his boats and nets were his livelihood. Yet, he abandoned them to find a new life as a follower of Jesus and a fisher of people. Yes, Peter was afraid - this is why Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid” - but he laid down his fear and trusted Jesus.

In one moment, Peter laid down his life, security, and fears and trusted that Jesus would care for him. In another, Peter’s fear and desire for safety led him to deny Jesus whomhe left everything to follow.

Can you relate to Peter? Have you ever reverted to acting out of fear instead of security in Jesus? Have you ever made a mistake that made you question your faith?

Like Peter, none of us have a linear story. We make steps of faith but are also dragged backward by sin. The good news is that Jesus died for all of our sins. Both past and future. He knows that we will stumble, deny him, and act out of our sinful nature, just like He knew Peter would.

Yet, Jesus loved and pursued Peter. He washed Peter’s feet and ate His last meal with him. Jesus loved Peter through his sin. In the same way, we are unconditionally loved and forgiven by Jesus. Even when we make our biggest mistake or revert to our old ways, we are secure in Jesus’ unconditional grace and love.