The Road To Easter Day 4 – Calvary Chapel San Clemente

PETER DENIES JESUS

Luke 22:54–62 (NKJV)

⁵⁴Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

⁵⁷But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.”

But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”

⁵⁹Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”

⁶⁰But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” ⁶²So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

When we just do a cursory reading of this scripture we automatically think, wow! This is an epic failure in Peter’s faith and walk with the Lord, and in one sense maybe it is. However as we look deeper into this account, we see distinct reasons for this particular failure, but we also see great victory given to Peter by a wonderful / merciful Lord and Savior Jesus.

Let me explain:

We need to believe and trust more in what Jesus has said, than we believe and trust in how we feel.

Peter trusted more in what he felt than what Jesus had said. This leads to failure.

Remember to always believe what the Lord says to you and about you.

How did Peter go astray?

Pride in himself (Luke 22:33)

Unbelief in what the Lord has said. ( Luke 22:34)

Following Jesus at a distance. (Luke 22:54)

Warming himself by the enemies fire. ( positioning himself with the world) ( Luke 22:55)

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭31‬-‭34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Earlier Jesus tells the disciples that they will betray Him, Peter in his pride tells Jesus emphatically that he would NEVER deny Christ even to death.

To which Jesus answers before the roster crows, you will deny me three times.

So as Peter follows from afar and warms himself at the enemy’s fire, he proceeds to deny the Lord three times.

Absolutely crushing!

Imagine the Lord looking at Peter with knowing eyes and a loving look, understanding this exact thing would happen.

However later in the gospel account of John, Jesus does something astonishing.

He asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Now to me this is a most remarkable instance of the grace of God….

From a three time denier of Jesus, to a three time confession of love for Him!

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus loved Peter more than his denial….. He loves us the same way!

When you think that you have made a tremendous mistake in your life or walk, remember Jesus is the worker of the most magnificent acts of grace.

It happened for Peter, and it happens for you and I.

Let’s pray,

Heavenly Father, we exalt Your name, and give you the worship and praise You are so deserving of.

We realize Lord that we love You because You first loved us, and manifested that love in the form of Christ Jesus the righteous.

We realize that our relationship with You is based on Jesus’s work and goodness not our own. We also recognize that You have seen all of our faults, failures and shortcomings ahead of time and loved us anyway.

We can do nothing but praise You for your goodness. Just like Peter here, we fall, but alas You are the one that picks us up!

We love you and pray this is the Mighty Name of Jesus!

Steve Ford, Assisting Pastor and Board Member, Calvary Chapel San Clemente

PETER DENIES JESUS

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