Station 7: Peter’s Denial

Matthew 26:69-75

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

FOR FURTHER READING
Matthew 26:30-35

REMEMBER

Peter was sold out for Jesus up until this very moment. He was horrified when Jesus prophesied this would happen, that Peter would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, but in his humanity, his courage failed him. What’s so powerful about this moment is realizing that Jesus’ prophecy came true, Peter’s reaction when he realized what he had done, and the fact that Jesus didn’t give up on him.

After Jesus rose from the dead, one of the first things He did was seek Peter out, forgive him and remind him of his purpose. Peter lived the rest of his life passionately abandoned to Christ. Consider your “Peter moment”, when you have failed to honor Jesus.

RECOGNIZE

Peter pledged his undying commitment, but when Jesus was arrested, his courage failed him. Why do you think he wept bitterly?
Maybe you can relate to the shame Peter felt when he realized his own failures and shortcomings. But Jesus didn’t give up on Peter, and He won’t give up on you! 

As Peter felt the weight of his responses, we also feel the burden of rejecting Jesus at times. What negative thoughts has failure produced in you? 

RECEIVE

Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to free you from shame and believing lies. Ask Him to tell you how He sees you.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for searching me out, forgiving me and reminding me of my purpose. I want to live my life passionately abandoned to You! Amen.