Day 40 - Peter Denies Jesus

Big Scripture: John 17:15–18,25–27 (NLT)

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” 18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself. 

25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” 26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. 

Big Idea:

In this story, we read about one of the lowest moments of Peter’s life. Jesus had been arrested and was being dragged into what was essentially an illegal trial. The religious leaders wanted to find Jesus guilty of a dangerous crime so they could hand Him over to the Romans for execution. Peter couldn’t go into the trial, so he was standing out in the courtyard waiting to hear any news. People began to recognize Peter as a friend and follower of Jesus. 

Just a few hours earlier, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter strongly disagreed—he claimed he was willing to die for Jesus. But in several moments of uncertainty and fear, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. It’s easy to pick on Peter and think he was a coward, but Peter loved Jesus very much and was determined to follow Him. What do you think happened? 

It’s the same thing that happens to you and me when we fear what people think of us more than we fear (respect and honor) God. We say things and do things in an attempt to protect ourselves or prove ourselves. Only a heart changed by God’s unconditional love can be free from the fear of others. Later in the Gospel of John, Jesus will help Peter understand God’s great love for him. Don’t worry—Peter’s story isn’t over. 

Big Questions:

Big Prayer:

God,
I admit that there are times in my life that I deny that I know You. With my lips I say that I trust You, but with my life I trust in other things more. I sing songs about how You are first place in my life, but often I want to be first place in my own life—I want to do my own thing and not have to answer to You. Forgive me. Help me to run to You when I fail. Keep me from running from You. Thank You that You are always there with open arms to forgive, love, and restore me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.