It shook the Apostles to their core to watch Jesus, whose teaching and training completely changed their lives, be led away to a kangaroo court and death. Additionally, they believed He was the Messiah. So, how could this be happening? Peter, always the leader, now lagged in the shadows secretly hoping this was only a bad dream. In the midst of the horror and defeat of the arrest, Peter was being called out and pointed out as “one of them”, a follower of Jesus.
Peter did not respond; he reacted. His mind spun with feelings of rage mixed with utter fear. He had seen the miracles and he’d been with the Messiah, Moses, and Elijah up on the mountain. Now, this same Jesus just surrendered and gave up. His very name had leveled His accusers in the garden moments before, but even with that depth of power, Jesus was now standing trial for His life.
So, when asked, Peter completely denied knowing the Son of God! He was not confused or tricked. Peter was scared and angry. One can only imagine the anguish John must have felt for his friend. Clearly, as he recounts the event, John is not judging Peter. Instead, John is setting the scene for one of the greatest examples of restoration to come.
There appeared to be no coming back from Peter’s complete disavowing of the Savior. The crowing of the rooster seemed to be a gavel pounding, pronouncing that he had been tried and found guilty of a complete lack of faith.
Ironically, the rooster’s voice would herald a new era for Peter. He would no longer be cocky or brash. The new Peter was saved by grace and restored to lead the church as a servant, from a place of freedom , since he would be personally exonerated by our Savior. He would serve the Lord with humility and gladness. Ultimately refusing to be crucified like Jesus, Peter would have his cross inverted, knowing he was not worthy of such a noble death as was felt by the Savior.
John saw the story to its end and could completely relate to His friend’s doubts and weakness. He knew, however, that Peter never lacked faith. Peter merely stumbled en route to a masterful ministry of sacrifice and leadership to people of every background and walk of life.
Peter may have denied Jesus, but John would testify that no one modeled the life and sacrifice of Jesus any more closely than his boisterous fisherman partner.
God Bless You
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12 So the Roman [e]cohort and the [f]commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.
15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He *said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in [g]synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter’s Denial of Jesus
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
Walking With God 