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288. Peter Disowns Jesus

Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-18 & 25-27
Key Verse: Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you'll disown Me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72 & Luke 22:61-62

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Cor. 7:10) Today and tomorrow we will see examples of this truth as we witness how two disciples deal with the consequences of their actions.

It could be said that the down side of being bold is that you are noticed. All four gospels made sure that Peter's denials became a part of the gospel of salvation. Wherever Peter went, the fact that he had turned his back on Jesus when Jesus could have really used a friend would forever be a part of Peter's testimony. Bold peter, in the comfort of the upper room had declared: "Even if all fall away, I will not." (Mark 14:29) Jesus had warned him in the garden to watch and pray so that he would not fall into temptation. (Mark 14:38) When the crisis occurred, Peter reacted with a human response, using the sword, but Jesus had not praised his efforts, but rebuked him in front of everyone. Now, Peter was facing the unthinkable and Jesus was not there to shepherd him. He panicked, acted the coward and immediately regretted it.

I've said it before, but I will repeat it now, I am so glad that Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. His story gives me hope. So often, I too become the coward when faced with opposition. "You're one of those Christians?" "Well, yeah," then I quickly begin to explain myself not wanting to be aligned with the Christians who behave like hypocrites, whoever they are. Peter felt alone. The dream for which he had sacrificed his career appeared to be gone. Now, he had to think of himself. The survival instinct kicked in. After all, Jesus wasn't going to get out of this alive, but Peter would go on living. He had to distance himself before it was too late.

But, it was the death of a dream. The rooster crowed. Peter remembered his pledge of loyalty and his shameful words of the moment. Then, only Luke tells us that: "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." (Luke 22:61) Peter couldn't just get away hoping that Jesus would never know. Jesus knew and Peter knew that Jesus knew, and he went out and wept bitterly. He wept at his cowardice and he wept over the death of a dream, a future for he and Israel that would not be.

Roosters crow every day. They didn't just crow that day. For the rest of his life, at dawn, Peter would be reminded of what he had done. Yet, Peter would be reminded of something else as well. Peter had denied his Lord, but Jesus had forgiven him. One day soon, though he did not know it at the time, Peter would not only be restored, but his boldness would become useful through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He would be allowed the privilege of preaching the first evangelistic sermon at Pentecost, at which 3,000 would come to faith in Jesus. (Acts 2) He would go on to write two letters to the churches, addressing the issue of persevering through suffering and growing in the faith. He would actually do what Jesus had asked of him. He would turn and encourage the brethren. This was a dark moment for Peter in his walk with the Lord, but through forgiveness, it would also become a moment in which the Father would be glorified, which is the goal for all of our lives as we fail and then lean on Christ to forgive us again.

Hymn: "Jesus and Shall It Ever Be" 

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