Jesus’ Life: Chapter 18 – The Passion And Death Of Jesus
Time: Good Friday: – Approx. 3.00am – 5.00am
At the time of Jesus’ arrest, Simon Peter and John fled the Garden of Gethsemane along with the other Apostles. However, presumably disappointed at having done so, they quietly followed the crowd from a distance to Caiaphas’ Palace where Jesus was taken for questioning by Annas.
Immediately upon their arrival, John, who was already known to the high priests, went into the courtyard while Simon Peter stood outside by the door. There, the female porteress asked Simon Peter, “You’re not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” He immediately replied, “I am not”. (John 18:17)
Later, possibly as Jesus was being taken from Annas to Caiaphas for questioning, Simon Peter was sitting outside by the courtyard fire. There another bystander saw him and said to the people around, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene”. Simon Peter vehemently denied it, with an oath, saying, “I do not know the man!” (Matthew 26:71-72; John 18:25-26; Luke 22:58).
About an hour later and while Jesus was still being questioned, another bystander insisted, “Certainly this man was with him because he too is a Galilean”. Simon Peter answered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” At that moment, while Simon Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed and at the same time Jesus, within his line of sight, “turned and looked straight at Simon Peter and Simon Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times’”. (Luke 22:59; Matthew 26:13, 71; Mark 14:20, 69)
Simon Peter had previously acknowledged Jesus was the Son of God and confidently assured Him during the Last Supper that even if the other Apostles, “All fall away…, I will never fall away!” (Matthew 26:33)
Simon Peter, now ladened with remorse, “Went outside and wept bitterly”. (Luke 22:62) (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:56-72, John 18:25-27)
Thought
Simon Peter denied that he knew Jesus and his first lie, led to another and another.
With God’s grace, Simon Peter repented and he was restored. So can we, repent and be restored.
Reflection
Merciful God, I repent for ever having offended You, I acknowledge my many failures and pray for your grace and blessing. This I ask through your loving Son, Jesus.
Prayer: Union with Jesus
Lord Jesus:
I give you my hands to do your work
I give you my feet to go your way
I give you my eyes to see as you do
I give you my tongue to speak your words
I give you my mind that you may think in me
I give you my spirit that you may pray in me
Above all:
I give you my heart that you may love in me,
your Father and all mankind.
I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,
So that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who live and work and pray in me.
