THE GOSPEL: The Rock Denies The ROCK!

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. (John 15:15) But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. (Matthew 26:58, 69) ... And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. (Mark 14:54; Luke 22:55; John 18:18) But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. (John 18:16) 

The another disciple is John, speaking about himself.  In the previous lessons, we studied that ...all the disciples forsook Him and fled. (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested; The Word is The Truth) And after a very quick trial before the high priest, they charged Him, You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. (Mark 14:63-64; Matthew 26:65-66; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Charged with Blasphemy by Blasphemers)  Now we know that Peter and John followed Jesus.  John was brave enough to go with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard.

John goes to get Peter, to take him to Jesus also, but on the way from the gate door to the courtyard, And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. (Luke 22:56-60; Matthew 26: 69-74; Mark 14:67-72; John 18:17)

Jesus does not lie!  Whatever He says will happen will come to pass, just as He said.  Jesus had told Peter, while He and the disciples were in the upper room, ... “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. (Mark 14:27-31; Matthew 26:31-35; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Say What You Won't Do; Pray for Strength) 

When the "fire" got hot, Peter couldn't keep his word any more than many of us can.   And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61-62; Matthew 26:75; Mark 14:72)  How heartbreaking to have the Lord turn and look at us when we do the exact things we promise we wouldn't do; then, the guilt we feel when we remember the word of the Lord.

But there are some other words that Peter and all of us can remember also, that should encourage us when we fail God and don't keep our promises.  And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” ... (Luke 22:31-34)  Jesus loves us and prays for us, that we will return to Him; even if we first have to go out and weep bitterly, which hopefully leads to repentance. 

The other words Peter and all of us can remember is that, ...Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). (John 6:40-42) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19; see THE GOSPEL: "The Rock" vs. rocks)

Jesus made a great promise to Peter, that he would be used by God to start the "church", spread The Word to those who would believe.  No matter what he did, by denying Christ, he would be forgiven (Luke 12:8-12), because God had a purpose for his life that would be fulfilled. (Acts 2) The same goes for all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  No matter how we may mess up or fail God, He will forgive us! Restore us, O God of our salvation,... (Psalm 85:4) Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;... (Lamentations 5:21) Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19) AMEN!