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Peter’s Denial And Restoration
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Jesus foretold Peter would deny Him saying to Peter,
“Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the
rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times” (Mk.
14:30). Peter was not happy and replied, “If I have to die
with You, I will not deny You!” (Mk. 14:31). How many
people have made similar statements? It’s pretty easy to
make bold statements, but when it comes time to uphold such a
proclamation, it’s often a different story. This article
takes a closer look at Peter’s denials of Christ, his restoration
and preaching.
Peter’s First Denial. The scene is set for Peter’s
denial when Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested by a mob and led away
to the high priest (Mk. 10:43-53). Peter followed Christ
“at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And
he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire” (Mk.
14:54). A servant girl of the high priest saw Peter and said to
him “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth” (Mk.
14:67). Peter responded, “I neither know nor understand
what you are saying” (Mk. 14:68). One denial and one
rooster crow!
Peter’s Second Denial. Peter left the fire and went to a
porch and moments later the servant girl saw Peter again and said to
those who were present “This is one of them” (Mk.
14:69). Was Peter “one of them?” Yes he was!
Peter was an apostle chosen by Christ and previously said to Jesus,
“You are the Christ” (Mk. 8:29). Yet, “he
denied it again” (Mk. 14:70). Didn’t Peter say to
Jesus “If I have to die with you, I will not deny
you?” It seems as if Peter has forgotten his bold statement
and in this moment of weakness he has sinned.
Peter’s Third Denial. The rooster has crowed once, Peter
has already denied Christ two times when “ a little later those
who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you
are a Galilean, and your speech shows it” (Mk. 14:70).
Peter then began to curse and swear and said “I do not know this
Man of whom you speak!” Following Peter’s response
the rooster crowed for a second time and Peter remembered that Jesus
said, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three
times.” The events unfolded just as Jesus foretold.
Peter thought about what had occurred and “he wept” (Mk.
14:72). What shall Peter do now? He made a bold
proclamation, but failed to live up to it.
Peter’s Restoration. It would be easy to criticize
Peter’s refusal to acknowledge Jesus the Christ. However,
Peter repents, and is restored (Jn. 21:15-25). The restoration of
Peter is further evidence of God’s grace, mercy and love.
Was Peter responsible for his actions? Yes! Contrast
Peter’s actions with Judas. Judas betrayed Jesus and
proceeded to commit suicide. Peter denied Jesus, but had a change
of mind along with a change of action, the Bible calls it repentance.
Peter’s Preaching. Peter delivered a powerful sermon
in Acts 2. Peter could have preached a watered down and ear
tickling sermon to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, but rather spoke
in such a way that the people “were cut to the heart” (Acts
2:37). If there was any time to deny Christ or try to distance
one’s self from Jesus, this was it. Peter powerfully
proclaimed, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly
that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and
Christ” (Acts 2:36). A reading of Acts 2:41 reveals,
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that
day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Peter also worked miracles (Acts 3) and wrote two epistles, first and
second Peter. After a thorough study of Peter’s life, one
might ask, how could Peter deny Jesus in the courtyard?
Thankfully, the Bible records for us the restoration of Peter and many
of his acts of faithfulness. This narrative further illustrates
man’s fallibility and need for a savior. Jesus said,
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also
confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before
men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Mt.
10:32-33). How about you? Will you confess Christ as the
Son of God (Acts. 8:37), enter into the waters of baptism and continue
to let your light shine or will you deny Christ?
~Keith Welch
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