Peter’s Three Denials

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” — Luke 22:61

The soldiers took Jesus to the high priest’s house. Peter had run away with the others. But now he followed, a long way behind, and crept into the courtyard of the house.

It was cold that night. Some people had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and they were sitting around it to keep warm. Peter sat down with them.

A servant girl saw Peter sitting there in the firelight. She looked closely at him. “This man was with Jesus,” she said.

But Peter said, “Woman, I don’t know Him!”

A little later, someone else saw him. “You’re one of them too!”

“Man, I am not!” said Peter.

About an hour later, another man said firmly, “This man was definitely with Jesus. He’s from Galilee, like Jesus.” People could tell by the way Peter spoke.

“Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” said Peter.

And just as he was speaking, a rooster crowed.

At that moment, the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

And Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him only a few hours before: “Before the rooster crows today, you will say three times that you don’t know Me.”

Peter went outside and cried and cried.

Peter loved Jesus. He had said he would die for Him. But when he was frightened, he pretended he didn’t even know Him. Three times.

What do you think Jesus’ look was like? Was it angry? The Bible doesn’t tell us. But Jesus knew this would happen, and He still loved Peter. Earlier that evening He had said to him, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).

Jesus knew Peter would fail. And He had already prayed for him, and already planned for him to come back.

This isn’t the end of Peter’s story. Later in this book, you’ll see what Jesus did for Peter after this terrible night.

Sometimes we let Jesus down too. We do things we know are wrong. We’re too scared to stand up for Him. But Jesus doesn’t give up on us, just as He didn’t give up on Peter.

Read it in your Bible: Luke 22:31–34, 54–62

Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the times I have let you down. Thank you that you never stop loving me, and that you pray for me. Please make me brave to stand up for you. Amen.