Who is Jesus? Chapter 48 Peter Denies Jesus

                                                Who is Jesus? Chapter 48 Peter Denies Jesus 

Peter Denies Jesus Three Times

You will remember that Jesus had been praying in the Garden and was willing to submit to God's plan of salvation.  Judas one of His very disciples brought soldiers to capture Jesus, saying the one I kiss is the one you seek.  

So, the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, like a thief. As it was early morning, they first led him to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be necessary for one man to die for the people.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led Jesus away to their council, Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last, two came boldly and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”

But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” So, they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?”

Jesus said to him, "If I tell you, you will not believe. You have said that I am. But I tell you, from now on, you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?”

They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And they blindfolded him while some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, if you are the Christ! Who is it that struck you?” And the guards received him with blows. And they said many other things against Jesus, mocking making fun, cursing and blaspheming him.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door.  Now the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, to bring Peter into the courtyard.

And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.  Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

And after about an hour had passed, one of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, insisted, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” “Certainly, this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

And Jesus turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Peter wept bitterly

We can understand that Peter was ashamed that he had denied Christ, but the thing that really caused him to weep so remorsefully, was the fact that the eyes of Jesus were fixed on him, and he could see both love and disappointment all at the same time.   

Oh, how I desire to have the eyes of Jesus look at me with approval and love. Do you not realize on that day - - the eyes of Jesus were looking at you and me, and his love burned deep enough to submit to the Father's plans and to follow through with what was before him on that early morning in the courtyard.

Friend, if you have never invited Jesus into your life, today is a good day to do so. The longer a person neglects to follow Jesus, they are in-effect actually denying Jesus just like Peter did.

We have all sinned and come short of God's glory, but the Scriptures tell us that if we acknowledge that we are a sinner (a sinner is one who has even told one lie – so that applies to us all.) And say with our mouth “Jesus, I believe you are the Christ the son of God, and that you died on a cross to pay for my sins, and I believe you rose from the dead in three days and are now seated in heaven. I invite you into my life and I promise to serve you all the days of my life.

After you have invited Jesus into your life, it would be a wise decision to begin attending a good Bible Believing fellowship or church where you can congregate with other believers and receive encouragement and learn more about Jesus and all that He has provided for you.