Denied! Peter and the Passion of Christ

Our happiness or lack thereof is directly dependent on our expectations. We all have an agenda, a version of reality in our minds that we want to or believe will come to pass. This is what we call expectations. When our expectations are met we are happy. When our expectations are unfulfilled we feel opposite emotions such as disappointment, anger, and even resentment.

This fact has led to the coining of the phrase, “expectations are premeditated resentments.” In other words, expectations only set you up for disappointment, anger, or resentment. There is some truth to this statement for at least two reasons. For starters, simply thinking that something will happen (even wanting it to happen or believing it will happen) does not make it happen. Secondly, as noted earlier, many people pin their hope of happiness on fulfilled expectations.

It is not necessarily wrong to base your happiness on your expectations being met. There is nothing wrong with this in and of itself, as long as we have good reasons to believe that fulfilling an expectation will make us happy, and we take the necessary steps toward fulfilling those expectations.

[Read more from the article “The Psychology of Expectations: Why Unrealistic Expectations are Premeditated Resentments,” by John A. Johnson, Ph. D.]

Now this sermon is not a seminar on happiness in relationships, but…

The same truth that concerns our happiness in natural, human-to-human relationships carries over to our relationship to God. Many people carry a set of expectations in to their relationship with God. If God doesn’t fulfill their expectations, they become disappointed, angry with God, and even resentful towards God.

It’s not wrong to expect things from God. We have the highest form of confidence when our expectations are in line with God’s will, desires, agenda, and mission. However, we are bound for disappointment, anger and resentment when we try to force the God of the universe into the little box of our humanistic agenda, desires, and expectations.

Many people think that following Jesus will make their life easier.

Many people think that following Jesus guarantees them an increase in material wealth.

Many people think that they can follow Jesus with little to no effort or sacrifice on their part.

Many people think that following Jesus will bring them a great deal of popularity and enhance their social life.

Many people believe that following Jesus will give them a high position of power and influence over others.

This is a lot like what Peter felt, when after leaving his fishing business and following the itinerant Rabbi named Jesus, he’s watching undoubtedly the most powerful man in the world allow himself to be dragged away by a rag-tag group of priests, elders, and other rowdy people who want to try to convict Jesus of some crime that will lead to his execution. Why wouldn’t Jesus just exercise His power to free Himself from this unlawful torture? Why wouldn’t he at least spare his followers the embarrassment of having their leader dragged through the streets like some common criminal? Peter’s expectations were crumbling down all around him like a gluten free cookie. How would he respond to such an event? Let’s turn in our Bibles to Luke 22:54-62.

When Jesus was arrested, why did Peter follow Him “at a distance” (v. 54)?

Maybe he was afraid for his life? Probably not: “He said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.”” (, MEV); “Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.” (, MEV)

Maybe Peter thought he could free Jesus if he found an opening. Not likely, Peter knew that Jesus had power to free Himself if He wanted to: “When He said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (, MEV)

The physical distance between Jesus and Peter was indicative of the distance between Jesus’ heart and Peter’s heart. Peter was resentful of Jesus because Jesus wasn’t doing was he wanted Him to do.

“From that time on, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. Then Peter took Him and began rebuking Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things that are of God, but those that are of men.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay every man according to his works.Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”” (, MEV)

Why did Peter deny Jesus three times(vv. 56-60)?

Notice that Peter denies that…

he was ever with Jesus (vv. 56-57)

he was one of his disciples (v. 58)

he even knew about Jesus and His disciples (vv. 59-60).

Peter wanted to completely disassociate himself from Jesus, His disciples, His teachings, and His mission. Peter was coming face to face with the realization that Jesus was not about what he always thought he was about. This disappointed Peter severely and led him to be angry with and resentful of his Lord.

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and brought them up to a high mountain alone, and was transfigured before them. His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, let us make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”” (, MEV)

But something happened next. [Read vv. 60-62]

But that’s not the end of the story. Three events happened in rapid succession immediately after Peter denied Jesus for the third time (vv. 60-62). These three events show us three steps that lead us out of disappointment, anger, and resentment towards God when He doesn’t meet our expectations.

We must remember the prophecies that Jesus has spoken (v. 60): “Now I tell you before it happens, that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He.” (, MEV)

We must realize the loving, merciful character of God in the midst of our disappointment, anger, and resentment (v. 61): “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (, MEV)

We must repent of allowing our misguided expectations to lead us away from God and His will for our lives (v. 62): “… the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (, MEV)

When Jesus didn’t meet Peter’s expectations, Peter became disappointed, angry, and resentful. But when Peter failed to live up to Jesus’ expectations, Jesus showed Peter nothing but love. How quick are we to turn on God when things don’t go our way? But God is always there, looking down on us in love and mercy, ready to take us back when we are ready to come.

Action Step:

Many people stress the need for premarital counseling in order to have a rock solid marriage that will stand the test of time. Others agree that relationship counseling can even help an existing marriage to be even stronger. But how many people enter into a relationship with Jesus with no pre-relationship counseling? If you want a relationship with Jesus that will last through the ups and downs of life, Pastor Anthony is offering “relationship with Jesus counseling.” This counseling will take the form of one-on-one or small group Bible studies. The studies can cover any personal questions you have along with some key truths that Pastor Anthony has found are necessary to have a thriving relationship with Jesus in these last days just before He comes again.