Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. He had left behind his fishing business to follow Jesus and for three years had been by his side as his faithful companion. However, in the heat of the moment, Peter three times denied his association with Jesus, when Jesus needed him most. Here, in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house, overwhelmed and troubled by all that was happening to his friend, Peter finally broke.
Facing high priest Caiaphas, Jesus is accused of attacking Jerusalem’s temple, the heart of Jewish faith. Worse still, when Jesus claims to be the Son of Man through whom God will judge the world at the end of time, the council agree that this deluded agitator must be silenced, once and for all.
Peter, meanwhile, has problems of his own. Not least because of his rural northern accent, the people in Caiaphas’ courtyard identify him as an associate of the Galilean who is on trial inside. Rather unconvincingly, Peter denies even knowing him – three times before the fateful night is over and the cockerel crows.
Perhaps fear was not the only reason. Perhaps Peter was losing faith in Jesus, who had succumbed to his enemies without resistance. Only the resurrection of Jesus set Peter back on course to being a rock of the church and a shepherd of the flock.
Have you ever let someone down? Not by being five minutes late, or forgetting to empty the dishwasher. Have you had that heart-plunging feeling, knowing you were wrong, knowing you’d hurt that person and broken trust?
Matthew 26.75 is the moment Peter’s heart plunged. The very thing he’d denied he’d do he did three times. Outside Caiaphas’s house, Jesus needed Peter the most and there he failed him the worst.
We live in a cancel culture. If someone lets you down, you have the right to cancel them for good. Jesus doesn’t live by this value. Despite being the only one with the right to cancel, he chooses not to.
On the shore (John 21) the risen Jesus ate fish with his friends and took time to restore Peter and reaffirm him as a disciple. He wants do the same with you today. The one who knows us the best loves us the most.
Does guilt weigh heavy on you? Jesus went to the cross so you would experience the weight lifted. Your feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling you the truth. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8.1).
Read on to find out more about Peter’s denial and restoration:
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