The Wrong Simon

Verse 17-21 Jesus claims that one of the 12 will betray Him. The 12 are worried that they might be the one to betray Jesus. Jesus pridicts that the one who dips in the bowl with him will betray Him.

Jesus predicts that all will fall away. Peter is adiment that He will not fall away. Even if everyone else falls away He will not.

Jesus states that Peter will deny Him 3 times at very night before the rooster crows 2 times.

Peter insists that He will die with Jesus if he has to. And that he will never deny Him.

A few moments later Peter is falling asleep with James and John as Jesus is praying.

Peter tries and over compensates for his laziness by cutting off the ear of one of the men who is trying to arrest Jesus. Showing that he is still committed even though he fell asleep.

Peter follows Jesus at a distance as they lead Him away. Remember he said he would not fall away even if he had to die with Him. He is already distancing himself from Jesus.

Jesus is tried by the Sanhedrin but the testimonies against Him do not agree. Meanwhile Peter is warming himself by the fire.

A little girl accusing Peter of being a follower of Jesus’.

Peter must have sounded like a Galilean and looked like a Galilean.

He was cursing and swear denying Jesus when He heard the rooster crow a 2nd time.

He broke down and cried. Have you ever had an experience like that where you let a friend down or maybe even a family member?

In the morning the crowd conveneses Pilate to release the wrong person.

verse 20 to 21 the wrong Simon had to carry His cross.

Verse 39 They relieced the wrong man and the had the wrong Simon carry his cross.

Simon Peter was also the wrong Simon because He did not do what he promised he would do. He may have been the wrong Simon but He was the right Jesus.

The only person in the story who seems to be the right person is Jesus.

That is why the Centurion says in verse 39 “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

And also the angle at the empty tomb says, “you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He has risen! he is not here.”

You may be the wrong Mark or Chris or Ron, or Brenda, …but he is the right Jesus.

He is everything you need and nothing you don’t need. No matter how unfaithfully you have been to Him in the past he has been faithful too you. He has died for you and set you free from sin.