Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus had just had His last meal with his disciples. At this event, Jesus turned the Passover Meal into a feast that would continue for the generations to come – the Lord’s Supper or Communion. Upstairs in a room they had gathered. This was to be no joyful occasion. It was here that Jesus spoke again about his pending death. It was here that Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. The mood was tense and sombre. Jesus added to this mood when He turned to Peter and said,

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with You, and even to die with You." But Jesus said, "Peter, let Me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me." (Luke 22:31-34 NLT).

Then, within several hours, Jesus was arrested. In a courtyard officials and ordinary people asked Peter three times if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Each time he said, “No I’m not” (John 18:17,25,27 GNB).

Luke tells us that Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him and “left the courtyard, weeping bitterly” (Luke 22:62 NLT). The guilt and the shame of his three denials got to him.

Well that was Peter just before the death of Jesus. The Peter after the Resurrection of Jesus was very different.  We know from records and traditions that Peter was instrumental in establishing the church in Jerusalem. Even when he was threatened of imprisonment, Peter continued to boldly declare that Jesus was the Messiah.

However, something needed to happen with Peter before he launched forth as a great leader of the new movement. A barrier had to be removed.

Within days or perhaps hours before Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus went and joined his disciples at the beach during breakfast time. He made a b-line for Peter. There was some unfinished business between Jesus and Peter. The story is found in John chapter 21. Throughout the breakfast, nothing was said about “that” time. Finally Jesus, after they had finishing eating, asked Peter, “do you truly love me?” Wow, where did that come from? Peter knew. He said , “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (v15 NIV). Jesus asked again, “do you truly love me?” Again Peter said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (v16 NIV).

By Jesus asking Peter three times “do you love me?” was a call to undo his three previous denials. With these three public reaffirmations of his love and loyalty to Jesus Peter was forgiven. Until that had been done Peter was not ready to be a follower of Jesus; the barrier of failure and sin has not been removed.

It must have hurt Jesus that not only had one of his own betrayed him, but one of his closest friend denied three times. It must knock the emotional wind out of God every time we deny Him. We may not verbal deny God, but sometimes by our actions we deny the power of God.

The Holy Week was tough for Jesus in so many ways – which included betrayal and denial. Today, reflect how each time by your actions or non-actions you knock the emotional wind out of God. Come and tell God how sorry you are. Then ask yourself if there is any unfinished business between you and God? Like He did with Peter, He will restore you.