The Scene of Peter’s Denial

Hello, I pray that you will experience all that Jesus has for you in this Holy Week as we move towards the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus!

On the morning of October 7th of this past year, I was standing in the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus, when rockets exploded overhead and the war in Israel began. It was a daunting moment, and it mirrored another time that happened in that very location.

“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’ But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ ‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54-62, NIV)

This was a moment of fear, shame and abandonment. Peter was caught between two professions. Previously, he had boldly answered the question of Jesus, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” In that instance, Peter was saying “yes” to God.

But now, in this courtyard, covered in shame, Peter was saying “no” to God, and his response was to run away in remorse.

My friends, we don’t need to say “no” to God! If we ever have said “no,” the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

When we confess, God says “yes” to mercy and forgiveness.

Let’s make the miracle of today be our undying devotion to saying “yes” to everything God has for us. Let’s make today a day of no regrets and no denials. Let’s live to the declaration, “Jesus, you are my Messiah, the Son of the Living God!”

After the air raid sirens quieted over Jerusalem that day in October, I looked back over the courtyard where both Peter’s moment and my own moment had taken place, and I reflected on my life. My goal is to never deny Him. I pray that God gives both you and me the strength to live with an undying love for the one who died in our place.

Never forget my friend…

You are a miracle!

Grant