They arrested Jesus, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed far behind them. After the soldiers started a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat together, Peter sat with them. A servant girl saw Peter sitting there in the firelight, and looking closely at him, she said, “This man was also with him.” But Peter said this was not true; he said, “Woman, I don’t know him.” A short time later, another person saw Peter and said, “You are also one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with him, because he is from Galilee, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” At once, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter went outside and cried painfully. The men who were guarding Jesus began making fun of him and beating him. They blindfolded him and said, “Prove that you are a prophet, and tell us who hit you.” They said many cruel things to Jesus. When day came, the council of the elders of the people, both the leading priests and the teachers of the law, came together and led Jesus to their highest court. They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of the powerful God.” They all said, “Then are you the Son of God?” Jesus said to them, “You say that I am.” They said, “Why do we need witnesses now? We ourselves heard him say this.” Luke 22: 54-71
Denial and being treated like you are not there is some of the most hurtful emotions. And in our text, the creator of the universe has this experience.
There are tree types of denial on display in this text: cowardice, contempt, and councils of power.
Cowardice: Peter was following at a distance. Peter’s denial is proof that Peter is not prayed up, as he should be. He is the boldest of the disciples before this moment. But private confidence can be easier to muster up than public courage. The fear paralyzes him. Already before anyone attempts to connect him with Jesus, the fear is already beginning to land on him. The distance we see in this verse, represents not just physical distance, but the emotional and spiritual distance. Peter hasn’t denied Jesus with his words, yet. But his actions already show it. Peters fears hit their peak when he is confronted, however. His denials are complete and thorough. The first was a relationship denial - “I don’t know him.” Then he denies his identity - “you are one of them” and Peter says, “I am not!” Finally he denies his experience - “you have to be with Jesus, you sound just like Him!” And Peter says, “man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” Don’t underestimate what fear of the future can do to your soul.
What fears are keeping you from following Jesus? Confess those fears and He will meet us in them.
In this moment, Peter cries. He’s embarrassed and ashamed, but he is also convicted. And this conviction begins a turn towards his restoration. This is Proof that Jesus’ prayer succeeds.
Contempt - Peter is not the only individual denying Jesus tonight. The guards (possibly temple guards), are blaspheming against him, mocking him through violence. The officials are railing on Jesus physically and emotionally, dishonoring him. They doubt the truth concerning him, so they feel free to beat him. Praise God that Jesus has Grace for those who mock him, and come to worship Him later. Paul is another prime example of this! Paul received mercy, despite his unbelief and blasphemy. The harshest denier of Jesus is not too far from Jesus to save.
Councils of power - the ones who cooked up this scheme have Him in trial. This trial is not about justice. And Jesus’s answer tells them, “you are not interested in truth, but rather keeping your own power.” And sometimes, the more we learn about Jesus, the more we learn about how we are not following Him correctly. In this moment, they are asking questions, but they are not looking for answers, but they are looking for just enough info to suit their own motives. The halls of power will twist themselves in knots tying to present themselves as the correct representative of Christ. Many people will wield Jesus as a tool to keep hold of their own power.
In this moment, the council thinks it’s holding a trial for an upstart man. But rather, they are in their own trials in this moment. But praise be to God there is grace for those who wield power wrongly.
All of these denials is just a footstep to the cross, where Jesus will hang for the redemption of all the denials he is experiencing.
As you wrestle with your own denials in life, just know there is grace for you. And there is proof of his grace in the cross. When you return, you will find Him welcoming you back with open arms!
