Station 4: Jesus Denied By Peter
“Jesus Denied By Peter” by Rembrandt 1660
Today’s station stands in stark contrast with yesterday’s. Yesterday, Jesus stood before the Sanhedrin, a group that held his fate in their hands and told them the truth. Today we turn to Peter one of Jesus’s most trusted disciples. The one who declared early that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16:16). The one who Jesus himself called “the rock,” and not just any rock but the rock on which Jesus would build his church (Mt 16:18). In today’s station that rock seems to crumble.
We find Peter in the courtyard just outside where Jesus is on trial. As he stands there a woman recognizes that he has been with Jesus. Peter then plainly tells her that she is mistaken. Then the next encounter we see Peter at the gate. It seems likely that he was making a move to avoid further questioning. A little girl sees him and realizes that he had been with Jesus, but once again Peter denies it. Finally, a group comes over to Peter and tells him that he sounds like he is from Galilee he has to be with Jesus. For the third and final time, Peter denies it.
Then.
The rooster crows.
Read the passage of Scripture below to see Peter’s reaction. Before you read it, however, take a minute to reflect on the differences here between Jesus and Peter. How Jesus stands his ground in the face of questioning but Peter does not. Then invite God to show you the depths of Peter’s emotions as you read the passage.
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a roster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.
(Matthew 26: 69-75)
To me the most powerful phrase in this whole section is: “Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken.” It is so easy to forget the words of God, and Peter is not alone in this struggle.
As you close out this station today ask God what word from him do you need to remember. Invite God to show you what word he has for you today.
This word may cause you to rejoice, like the Samaritan that was healed, or it may cause you to weep, like Peter. Whatever it does no word from God ever goes to waste.
Close your time with the following prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ help us today to remember your words. We know how easy it is to forget. We like Peter have been distracted. We like Peter have failed in moments big and small. Teach us to remember your words. Teach us in difficult days to draw near to you even when we are tempted to run. Forgive us for our forgetfulness and distraction. Renew our hearts and minds in you. Amen.
