Peter's Denial

John 18:15-27

Peter denies Jesus

Another disciple gets Peter in

He is not identified

Traditionally thought to be the disciple whom Jesus loved

It seems most likely that it is John himself

He knew the high priest and was allowed to enter

He also was able to get Peter in with him

It is night

They made a fire

This was extremely rare in the daytime

It is indirectly pointing us to the time of these events

The night points us again to the darkness of all that is unfolding

Peter is questioned 3 times

(v.17) a slave girl asks if he is also a disciple of Jesus

He denies it

(v.25) a group at the fire as if he is a disciple of Jesus

He denies it

(v. 26) a relative of Malchus says that he saw Peter with Jesus

He denies it

The contrast between Peter and Jesus

Jesus is attesting to His open profession of the truth

All the while, Peter denies the truth

Peter is attempting to protect himself by denying Jesus

All the while, Jesus is actually the one protecting Peter

Jesus remains steadfast, while Peter’s faith fails

This is the primary thrust of John’s account of Peter’s denial

A fuller picture of the story

Jesus foretells what will take place

Matthew 26:30-35- And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Mark 14:26-31- And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

Luke 22:31-34- “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Peter boldly declares His willingness to die

He says it, and seems to really mean it

The others agree

They all profess their willingness to die for Jesus

But every one of them ends up fleeing at Jesus’ arrest

What changed in a matter of a few hours?

The fruit of sin and Satan

Satan desired to utterly decimate Peter’s faith

He leverages Peter’s sinful inclination toward selfishness

It proves to be very effective

The only reason Peter is not destroyed is because of God’s grace through Christ

If it is not for Christ’s grace, our faith would inevitably be obliterated

His restoration for their restoration

Jesus promises that He will be restored

Jesus’ work to keep His disciples has been a constant theme

He prays to the Father, who ensures Peter’s faith will not be destroyed

He tells Peter that he will be restored

Peter’s restoration will be used

The other disciples will need encouragement and restoration of faith

Jesus prays for Peter’s faith to stand and will use Peter as His instrument

Your perseverance needs God’s people

We fall into sin

We often make good resolves of faith

We really mean them and desire to live in faithfulness to Christ

But soon sin and Satan deceive our hearts and lead us away from Jesus

At times, your faith even begin wavering, you being doubting, you become calloused by sin

He is gracious to restore us

He is always faithful to forgive you

1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He will strengthen your faith as you seek His face

He will restore you when you fall

He will strengthen you in your fight for holiness

He uses His people for our perseverance

He always keeps His sheep

Just as He didn’t lose any of His disciples

He ensured that their faith would stand

He will be faithful to keep you in faith until He takes you home

He sometimes does this work personally in spite of ourselves

This is what Jesus did in Peter’s life

Most normally, He uses His people to accomplish His work

This is what Jesus called Peter to do for the others

He wills to use others in the church in your life to sustain your faith

He wills to use you in the lives of your brothers and sisters for their faith

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11- But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24- Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.