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Luke 22:54-62
After the chief priests and the authorities had arrested Jesus, they took Him to the house of the high priest. This same account as recorded in the gospel of Mark tells us that as Jesus was being arrested the disciples all fled (Mark 14:50). But as they all fled, Peter followed the arresting procession from a safe distance, so as to not be noticed and risk being arrested himself (Luke 22:54).
In John 18:15-18 we learn that the apostle John was allowed into the courtyard of the high priest and it was he who asked the doorkeeper (servant girl) to allow Peter to enter the courtyard as well. It was this servant girl who asked Peter if he was one of those who followed Jesus, but as Jesus predicted in Luke 22:31-34, Peter denied knowing Jesus. We also learn in John 18:18 that it was the servants and officers of the high priest that made the fire that Peter stood by to warm himself.
After a little time had passed (Luke 22:58), Peter was questioned once again about his relationship with Jesus, but Peter replied once again that he did not know Jesus. About an hour later (Luke 22:59) Peter was questioned a third time about being with Jesus, and this time Peter swore on oath (Matthew 26:74) that he did not know Jesus. Before he was finished speaking, a rooster crowed, and Peter then remembered the words that Jesus had spoken to him, that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Luke 22:34; Mark 14:30; Matthew 26:34; John 13:38). Jesus then looked up at Peter from across the courtyard as to acknowledge Peter’s denying Him. As conviction set in on Peter, he removed himself from the area weeping profusely (Luke 22:62).
This is a promise that the words spoken by Jesus are truth and will come to pass.
This is an example of man’s desire to follow Jesus, yet in times of trial have a tendency to lose faith and focus from where it should always be…on Jesus.
The Apostle Peter went on to be the first leader of the Church (Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 1:15-17; 2:14) and was the first disciple to confess that Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). But even he was susceptible to losing his faith and his focus on Jesus during a trying time.
We too, are susceptible to this type of action when times get tough. When we are around our Christian brothers and sisters, we are full of God’s Holy Spirit and present ourselves in a way that is respectful of our salvation in Christ Jesus. However, it is when we are out in the world that we truly need to stand for Jesus; to share the love that He has shown us in our testimony and let the light of Jesus shine through us to reach others. Let us learn from the mistake of the Apostle Peter, as God intends for us to do by the study of His Word, and let His light truly shine through us to all the world (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21, 30-31).
Dear Lord,
You have given us Your Word to learn from, that we would grow in our knowledge of You and Your Son, our Savior Jesus, and the life that You give us through Him. Please help us to open our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls to receive Your Word that we would receive salvation from sin and everlasting life in Jesus and keep our focus and faith in You always. In Jesus name I pray, amen.