Hitting Rock Bottom
John 18:15-27
"As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, 'You are not one of his disciples, are you?' He denied it, saying, 'I am not.'"
(JOHN 18:25)
Peter was an impulsive fellow, full of flaws, passion and ego. But he was immensely devoted to Jesus and listened to Christ's stories and sermons, watched Him feed thousands and heal many. This Rabbi was different from any Peter knew: Jesus loved him and offered him hope.
Now, his Lord had been arrested and Peter must have questioned everything. Had he wasted the last three years? Had he believed something that wasn't true? His friends scattered after the arrest, but Peter wandered through the courtyard, confused yet hopeful to see Jesus. In the cold night he walked to a fire for warmth. There, someone recognized him as a follower of Christ.
He denied it. Peter probably stared into the flames, overcome. Had he lost his purpose for living? Hearing a rooster crow, he remembered the Lord's words, walked away and sobbed.
At last, Peter came to the truth that he was, in fact, a failure. That realization would make all the difference. May we also know our need for a Savior, especially in our shortcomings.
INSIGHT
WHEN OTHERS RECOGNIZE YOU AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Deuteronomy 28-29
Psalm 93
Acts 17
John 18:15-27
Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.[a]
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, 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 olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Footnotes:
a. John 18:24 Or (Now Annas had sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.)
THE UPPER ROOM
Their last meal together was to be a beginning and an ending, but only Jesus knew this beforehand. He took something normal and gave it eternal significance.
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