Today we are reading John 18. In this chapter we read about Jesus’ arrest, His trial, and Peter’s denial.“Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.”
John 18:25-27 ESV We are so familiar with Jesus passion that we can read these words with little emotional reaction. Imagine that you are Peter. You told Jesus that you were willing to die for Him. You take out your sword and wound one of those who sought to do harm to Jesus. Jesus tells you to put it away. Almost everyone runs away. You do not. You follow from a distance, hoping for a chance to help Jesus. During His trial you wait anxiously outside. Several people question you about Jesus. For some strange reason, your courage is gone and you deny you know Him. That is the lasting bitter taste in your mouth. You will never forget your own shameful words. How did Peter continue as an apostle? What would you do if you were Peter? May God restore and strengthen you as you step up to serve Him. Pastor Tim
