Peter’s Denial is Our Denial
Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62 John 18:15-18, 25-27
Peter was surrounded by the mob of those that had taken Jesus from him and the rest of the disciples. He was probably fearful, in disbelief that this was happening. He was staring into the fire, probably processing the last three years with Jesus, wondering what was next. His thoughts were interrupted by a servant of the very men that arrested Jesus asking about his participation with the man who claimed to be the Messiah. He responds with “I neither know or understand what you mean” (Mark 14:68). He most likely responded out of instinct. When we are accused of something, our instinct is to defend ourselves, pretend like we don’t know what they are talking about. The gospels each have a different account of who asked a second time. Mark references that it is the same servant. Matthew references another servant, while Luke and John give witness to just another person who asks him about his connection to Jesus. The point is not who asks, but Peter’s response. His second response can no longer be justified as instinctual. This was intentional. This was pride. Just as a child gets caught writing on the walls, and denies it, they cannot just turn back around and apologize because not only do they have to admit they wrote on the walls, but they must admit they lied. Peter most likely felt he couldn’t turn back. By the time we get to the third interrogation, the time has passed. He has had time to think, there was time to repent, to be bold, to choose courage. Matthew and Mark reference that it was a crowd that has surrounded Peter. This time, Peter’s denial was built on fear. He was so fearful; he SWORE that he had no idea who Jesus was. When we are afraid for our lives, we focus on self-preservation and disregard those around us. At this moment, Peter forgot that Jesus was his life, and instead focused on protecting himself from man. Finally, the rooster crows a third time. The cries of the rooster pierce the ears of Peter, clearing his mind of fear, pride, and instinct and reveals not only his actions but the words of Jesus who foretold of his denial. His heart is struck that he had become the person he swore he wasn’t. He weeps bitterly and runs. His shame and guilt overwhelm Peter to the point of abandoning Jesus and seeking refuge elsewhere.
We are Peter. As pressure builds, we find ourselves denying the truth and promises of Jesus. As we live in a world where it is uncommon and even unfavored by society to be someone who loves Jesus, we must acknowledge that we are tempted to shy away from bold gospel shares, redirect conversations to avoid conflict, to disobey the will of God completely. We can be too prideful to repent and admit we can be liars at times. We are also sometimes riddled by fear and will do whatever it takes to survive, forgetting that we are covered and protected by the cross. We are fearful, prideful, and are instinctually sinful. We are Peter. We can become a denier of truth, and when our sin is revealed to us, we allow our shame and guilt to overrun our lives, causing us to run from our Father. We cannot read about Peter and think, “that could never be me. I could never deny Jesus like that. Peter must have just not loved Jesus enough”. Where are you denying or rejecting the truth of Jesus? Where are you allowing pressure, sin, or pride to run your life and cause you to seek refuge elsewhere rather than Jesus?
