On the podcast this week we’re looking at Peter and how he let his friend, Jesus, down.
CHARACTER PROFILE:
1. Who Was Peter?
Peter, originally named Simon, was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek), meaning “rock” (John 1:42). He was a fisherman before following Jesus and became a leader among the disciples.
2. Where Was Peter Born?
Peter was born in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). He later lived in Capernaum, where Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31).
3. Was Peter Married?
Yes, Peter was married. The Bible mentions that Jesus healed his mother-in-law, which means Peter had a wife (Mark 1:30-31). The Apostle Paul later referred to Peter taking his wife on missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5).
4. Peter’s Personality
Peter was known for being bold, impulsive, and passionate. He often spoke or acted quickly, such as when he tried to walk on water (Matthew 14:28-31) and cut off a servant’s ear to defend Jesus (John 18:10). Despite his flaws, he deeply loved Jesus.
5. Peter’s Greatest Failure and Restoration
Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted (Luke 22:61-62). After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was forgiven and restored, reaffirming his love for Christ three times (John 21:15-17).
6. Peter’s Legacy
Peter became a key leader in the early church, boldly preaching about Jesus (Acts 2:14-41). According to tradition, he was martyred in Rome, crucified upside-down because he didn’t feel worthy to die as Jesus did. His life shows a journey from fear to faithful courage.
STORY
Today’s story can be found in Luke 22:54-62 – we’d love for you to read along with us. (ERV)
54 They arrested Jesus and took him away to the house of the high priest. Peter followed Jesus but stayed back at a distance. 55 The soldiers started a fire in the middle of the yard and sat together. Peter sat with them. 56 A servant girl saw him sitting there. She could see because of the light from the fire. She looked closely at Peter’s face. Then she said, “This man was also with Jesus.”
57 But Peter said this was not true. He said, “Lady, I don’t know him.” 58 A short time later, someone else saw Peter and said, “You are also one of them.”
But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 About an hour later, another man said, “It’s true. I’m sure this man was with him, because he is from Galilee.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked into Peter’s eyes. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” 62 Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.
PETER’S DENIAL
The night was thick with tension. The sky above Jerusalem was an inky black, and a biting chill hung in the air, seeping into Peter’s cloak as he pulled it tightly around his shoulders. His sandals scuffed against the stone courtyard as he followed the others, his heart hammering in his chest.
It was the middle of the night, and shadows danced along the walls, flickering from the orange flames of a nearby fire. The sharp, smoky smell of burning wood mingled with the damp, earthy scent of the cool night. A group of people huddled around the fire for warmth, their faces illuminated in the glow. Peter hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, hoping to blend into the group.
He stretched his hands toward the flames, the heat stinging his fingers, but he didn’t care. His mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion. The arrest had happened so quickly. One moment, they were in the garden with Jesus praying, and the next, soldiers had come, torches blazing and swords drawn. Now Jesus was somewhere inside, standing trial before the high priest, and Peter’s courage had all but vanished.
A servant girl, young and sharp-eyed, stepped into the circle of firelight. Her gaze lingered on Peter, and her head tilted as though she were trying to place him. Peter stiffened, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling.
“You,” she said, her voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation. “You were with that man, Jesus of Nazareth.”
Peter’s stomach dropped. His mind raced, and a lump formed in his throat. The faces around the fire turned toward him, their eyes curious, some suspicious. He forced a shaky laugh, trying to sound csual.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. He looked away, focusing on the flames as if they held the answer to his fear.
The girl frowned but said nothing more. Peter exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold air, and tried to calm the pounding of his heart.
Time dragged on, the minutes feeling like hours. The fire crackled, sending sparks into the night sky, and the bitter scent of smoke filled Peter’s nose. He couldn’t stop glancing over his shoulder, his nerves frayed. He wanted to be brave, but the thought of what might happen to him if he were recognised made his blood run cold.
Then another voice pierced the stillness. This time, it was a man sitting across the fire. His brow furrowed as he pointed at Peter.
“You’re one of them,” he said firmly. “I’m sure of it. You’re a Galilean, aren’t you? Your accent gives you away.”
Peter’s pulse quickened, and his palms grew clammy despite the cold. He shook his head, his words tumbling out in a rush.
“No, I’m not!” he said, his tone rising in desperation. “I don’t know him!”
The man’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t press further. Peter shifted uncomfortably, his legs trembling as he fought the urge to run.
The courtyard seemed to grow quieter, the murmurs of the crowd fading into the background. Peter’s thoughts were loud in his mind, accusing and relentless. What am I doing? he thought. He’s my teacher, my friend. But if they find out…
Before he could finish the thought, yet another voice called out. This time it was an old man, his face partially hidden by the shadow of his hood.
“Didn’t I see you in the garden with him earlier?” he asked, his voice laced with certainty.
Peter’s heart felt like it would burst out of his chest. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, and his words came out in a panicked shout.
“I don’t know him! I swear, I don’t!”
At that moment, a sound pierced the cold night air—a rooster crowing.
Peter froze. He turned his head slightly and saw Jesus standing, watching him. Peter gasped. There was no anger in Jesus’ eyes—only deep sadness and pain.
Jesus’s words rushed back to him with painful clarity: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
His breath hitched, and his vision blurred as tears filled his eyes. He turned away from the fire, stumbling out of the courtyard. The salty taste of his tears mingled with the cold air as he covered his face with his hands, sobbing.
How could he have done it? The man he had sworn to follow, the man who had called him out of his old life, the man he had seen perform miracles—he had denied him. Not once, not twice, but three times.
Peter’s knees buckled, and he sank onto the rough stone ground in the shadows of the street. The rooster crowed again in the distance, the sound cutting through the stillness like a blade.
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The story of Peter’s denial is really sad- just imagine your best friend or a very loved family member denying knowing you. How would you feel?
Now let’s flip the coin – what if you’re the one denying?
Have you ever denied knowing a friend or a sibling? Have you ever denied Jesus?
You might say no you haven’t but on the podcast, we look at what denying Jesus is in our modern days. Just click play above and take a listen.
PICTURE CREDIT: FreeBibleImages
