Read John 18:25-27. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Reflections on the Word.
According to Merriam-Webster the definition of “second chance” is an opportunity to try something again after failing one time. It’s easier said than done when one is under intense pressure. It’s next impossible if there isn’t a moment of reflection to consider choosing differently.
The text says this, “26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow” (NIV).
If someone was to ask us about last week’s sermon, would we be able to recall the text, the outline, and the illustrations? How about one month ago or a year ago? To be honest, I have trouble remembering what the sermon was from only a week ago. I think for most of us, if we were asked to recall a sermon from a year ago, our response would be just a blank stare. In that scenario, we would be terrible witnesses.
I wonder if Peter was afraid of being called to the witness stand to testify of what he heard Jesus said in public and in private for the three and a half years that he was with Jesus. Peter heard Jesus’ words, but how much of it could he recall correctly of what He said in public and private! It’s understandable that Peter would not want to be a witness.
More probable was that Peter was afraid of being caught for His own crimes. There was a witness who was there and who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. That man confronted and accused Peter of being with Jesus. Peter was in a tough spot. If he admitted to being with Jesus, they could not only accuse him of attempted murder, but also Jesus. His rash actions could further their case to condemn Jesus. Guilt by association.
The most likely reason that Peter denied Jesus was that he did not want to endure what Jesus went through and would go through. Peter denied the Lord the three times. Right after his third denial, the rooster crowed as the sun was starting to dawn. John does not record the aftermath of Peter’s denial, but the other Gospels do.
Have there been times when we were ashamed of the Lord? Many, if not all of us, have been reluctant to let others know that we are Christians by our words or actions. It’s impossible to righteously stand for the Lord by our own strength. It is only by His grace and power that we can stand up under the trials that we will face. Peter had to learn that the hard way. But it’s not necessary for us to learn the hard way. Let’s learn from Peter life and rely on God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power to guide us through our trials and temptations.
-Kingston