Luke 22:54-62

Life Connection

How many of you have sinned before in such a way that afterwords you thought to yourself, “how could I have done that?”

The result of such sin is shame and guilt that can be overwhelming. It can cause us to feel like we are too far gone. We cannot be restored.

This morning, we are going to study the very serious, shameful sin of the apostle Peter. We are going to be instructed and warned by his example.

But not only will we learn from the example of Peter. We will also see the role that Jesus plays in our sins and failures, as the One who has paid the price for our forgiveness and restoration.

Context

Here in Luke 22, we are in Jesus’ final week of life, passion week. Specifically in 22:54-62, we are in the late night of Thursday night after the Passover meal into the early morning on Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jesus has just been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas met him with a host of soldiers to arrest him.

And that is where we will pick up this morning. Today, we will study the immediate passage a little more quickly because we are going to bring in a few other passages to help us see the principles that are present in Peter’s example.

Luke 22:54-62

The context of this account is the high priest’s house. Knowing exactly whose house this was at this time is a difficult historical question because of the relationship of Annas and Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the official high priest, but his father-in-law Annas still had great influence over Jewish life, including over his son-in-law.

It is possible that they live in different parts of the same home.

According to vs. 54, where are Jesus’ disciples?

We don’t know where anyone but Peter is. Peter is following at a distance.

What does this language communicate about Peter’s actions?

We can’t make too strong of a judgment, but it seems as though Peter is trying to be there for Jesus, but he is being careful about it. I think this observation is confirmed as we see Peter’s actions in the rest of the narrative.

Where do the preceding events take place according to vs. 55?

The courtyard. It has been discovered that wealthier homes in the ancient world were built around an outdoor courtyard.

So, Peter sits down near the fire with the servants and others present at the high priests’ home while Jesus is somewhere in the home being questioned.

Luke has clearly put the focus of the narrative on Peter, and he introduces the first bit of conflict in vs. 56. What is the form of the conflict?

A servant girl who is looking intently at Peter and who recognizes him, perhaps from an earlier encounter of Jesus’ with his disciples in Jerusalem.

Regardless of how she recognizes him, she does, and she shares it with those present.

How does Peter respond?

I do not know him.

In order to make sure that he also does not end up in legal trouble with his master who has been arrested, he denies knowing Jesus.

What do Luke’s comments in vs. 58-59 indicate about the timing of these events?

Time passed between the denials of Peter. These weren’t three rapid fire questions and denials. In fact, each Gospel writer offers different details about the questioners’ and the exact words that they use in their questions, indicating that those accusing Peter of being a disciple of Jesus may have been doing so as a group, rather than just a single person.

We can imagine the intensity of the moment as Peter sat or stood in the courtyard, fearing what was happening to Jesus but also what might happen to him if the people knew who he was.

And so, in vs. 58 we see his second denial. This time, he not only denies knowing Jesus, but he also denies any relationship or connection with the other disciples.

What is it that gives Peter away as a disciple of Jesus that we see in the question in vs. 59?

He is a Galilean. We read in another Gospel that it was his accent that gave him away.

They wondered why a Galilean would be present in the courtyard of the high priests house at that time of night, unless he were connected with the criminal on trial.

In vs. 60, we read Peter’s response. His third denial. Now, what is the significance of the rooster crowing?

Jesus had included that in his predication of Peter’s sin: Luke 22:34

In the midst of Peter’s third denial of the Lord, he hears the crow of the rooster, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction.

What happens next that must have really crushed Peter?

The Lord turned and looked at Peter.

Can you imagine the overwhelming grief of Peter in that moment? The same Peter who earlier claimed a willingness to die for Jesus, now denying that he even knows Him as Jesus stands trial on the day of His crucifixion.

Between the rooster crow and the look of Christ, Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction of his sin.

Peter responds by going out of the place and weeping bitterly. Oh the shame and guilt that must have filled him at that moment. The word Luke uses for weeping bitterly is the same word that is often used to describe mourning or grieving the death of someone. Peter’s grief and mourning are deep as a result of his sin.

Before we zoom out from this passage, I want us to note the contrast between Peter, who was the leader of the disciples, and Jesus. He was bold, outspoken, and followed Jesus with such passion throughout Jesus’ ministry. But what Peter does reminds us of what every significant biblical figure before Jesus always did: they sinned. They failed to be the deliverer of God’s people. Peter could not stand up under the temptation to deny Christ in order to save his own skin.

Contrast Peter and the rest of significant biblical figures with Jesus. While Peter is denying Jesus and the rest of the disciples are off somewhere, not with Jesus, the Lord is standing trial as the most innocent man in history. He is submitting Himself to shame, mockery, suffering, and death when He deserves NONE OF IT. He is the one who can and will deliver God’s people. He has no sin. He will not fail. Luke shows us this through the contrast of Peter and Jesus in these final chapters.

Peter’s Example

Three ways that Peter serves as a warning for us:

Peter’s self-confidence

Luke 22:31-33

When Jesus warns Peter about Satan’s demand to sift him as wheat, Peter does not respond with gratitude for Jesus’ prayers, or with questions about what he should do to be ready for such temptation. Rather, he responds with self-confidence about his own ability to stand up against Satan.

Peter’s lack of prayer

Luke 22:39-40, 45-46

When Peter should have been praying that he may not enter into temptation, he was sleeping instead.

Self-confidence rather than dependence upon God can be clearly seen in our lives when we are not people of prayer.

Peter’s denial of the Lord

The result of Peter’s self-confidence and lack of prayer, rather than a dependence upon God demonstrated by prayer, was sin in the face of temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:12-14

Not confident in ourselves but in God (God is faithful)

What does this look like practically? Prayer

What else can we do to be prepared for and battle temptation?

Jesus’ Compassion and Care for His Wayward Sheep

Three ways we see Jesus’ compassion and care for Peter

Jesus prays for Peter and for us

Luke 22:31-32

Hebrews 7:25

Jesus restores Peter and all who repent

John 21:15-19

1 John 2:1-2

Jesus uses the restored, repentant Peter and will use us

Acts 4:13, 18-20

Jesus’ example of restoring Peter should be instructive for the church’s response to sinning believers:

Galatians 6:1-2

Practical Application

How should we respond practically to what we have studied this morning?