Holy Week – Betrayal Part 2

Matthew 26. 69 - 70 & 74- 75 (NIV)

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said. But he denied it before them all. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said… Immediately a rooster crowed.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ’Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Ever said something and wished the ground would swallow you up? 

Once we had a friend over for dinner, and I asked them cheerily about their dog. They loved their dog so much and usually told me a story about a recent walk in the park or showed me a photo of the latest thing the dog had eaten. This time however, there was a pause before they said, ‘Oh actually, he died yesterday …’ In this moment I wished the ground would swallow me up. Sadly, it didn’t… 

Yesterday we looked at how Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest friends and today he faces yet another betrayal. Peter was one of Jesus’ nearest and dearest; he was part of the inner circle (in fact he was part of the inner inner circle.) Yet when the pressure came, he denied ever knowing Jesus. As the rooster crowed, he realised what he’d done, and he wished the ground would swallow him up.

Peter loved Jesus and had journeyed with him through thick and thin, just as Judas had, but when the pressure came, he denied knowing Jesus, not once, not twice but three times.

We can look at this example and say – we’d never do that. But in truth I know there’ve been many times, where I’ve put my will before God’s or swerved from a conversation about faith just because it was easier. Today is a challenge not to lose sight of Jesus, to be brave when needed, and not to deny God when the opportunity comes to speak or act for him.

Pray — Jesus I’m sorry for the times where I’ve knowingly denied you. Forgive me I pray.