You’re sitting at home reading the newspaper when the door is blown off its hinges with such a loud bang that you jump out of your chair. “Hands up and don’t move,” a SWAT team first officer yells as he shoves a cocked .357 magnum into his face.
“You have the right to remain silent,” says another as he grabs your wrists, pulls them back, and puts you in handcuffs.
Two hours later, at the police station, he is relieved to see his best friend walk into the room. You know he can verify that you were with him earlier in the evening when a man was shot to death in a store a block from your house.
“I don’t know this man,” says your friend.
Your mouth drops open in disbelief, but then you think this has to be some practical joke.
“Are you sure?” ask the detective.
“Absolutely!” he says.
Pointing at you, the detective says to your friend, “He says you’re his best friend.”
After using it, your friend says, “I’ve never seen this before in my life!” and leaves the room.
In a way, this modern story illustrates the denial that Jesus experienced from one of his closest disciples, but why?
“He thought he would never deny his teacher,” says 11-year-old Wes.
Wes, you’re right. After eating the Passover meal, Jesus told his disciples that they would all be offended by him that very night. Peter said that others might be offended, but he was not (Matthew 26:31-35). He even offered to give his life for Jesus (see John 13:36-38).
“Peter forgot to have faith in Jesus,” says 7-year-old Kelsey. “He was weak,” explains 6-year-old Kyle. “He forgot that God was in control,” says 7-year-old Raha.
Like many of us, Peter took control of the situation using his own strength. He failed to properly assess his own weakness. Sensing that the hour of his crucifixion was drawing near, Jesus asked his disciples to pray with him. But he three times he found them sleeping.
Jesus endured this hour of severe trial alone. Humanly speaking, Jesus was never more alone than when he looked at Peter after that third denial.
This story of three continues after Jesus rose from the dead. In the third appearance of the risen Jesus to his disciples, he three times asked Peter if he loved him.
“Do you love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter the first time.
By saying “more than these,” Jesus was referring to Peter’s boast of loyalty just hours before he denied it three times. Peter responded, but he did not claim to have a greater love for Jesus than his other disciples. His arrogance was gone.
Peter avoided professions of future loyalty. He now loved Jesus, but he couldn’t trust himself to always be faithful.
Instead of demoting Peter, Jesus charged him with a new commission three times. The senior shepherd needed someone to feed and care for his flock (followers of Jesus), and this new and humbled Peter was the man for the job.
As 6-year-old Dominique says, “Peter denied Jesus three times because he forgot that he had power in God.”
It is so easy to wonder how Peter could deny Jesus and never consider that we may be denying him every day in the decisions we make. Jesus could have easily denied us entrance into his kingdom of life by dismissing the cruel cross on which he bore our sins. Jesus longs for us to know him, not only as the door through which we enter his kingdom, but also as the Good Shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness.
Point to ponder: Jesus will never deny his people.
Scripture to remember: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, nor shall anyone snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Question to consider: Are you being faithful to God or are you denying him?
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