INTO THE NIGHT: PETER
Last week we looked at Judas. He left the Last Supper and went out into the night to complete the betrayal of Jesus. Today, we will look at Peter who also experienced great failure that same night. Judas’ story ended tragically. How will Peter’s story of failure end?
1. THE BOASTER.
Peter, to me, is the most interesting of the disciples.
He is strong, determined, impetuous, and a born leader.
But, he is also often wrong, too trusting of his own strength, and quick to shoot off his mouth.
He was a man of great faith, but struggled in doubt during adversity.
He showed great courage, but was it courage or foolhardiness?
** You could insert my name for his in the above description.
Peter was close to Jesus. He loved Him greatly.
Peter’s signature moment came when he showed the greatest faith of the 12 by stepping out of the boat and walking on water. But moments later found himself sinking down into the sea until he called out to Jesus.
* Peter is the first to confess Jesus as Lord and Son of the Living God. But he will soon deny he even knows Jesus.
* Last Supper Boasting.
They have gathered and Jesus has taught them many things.
Jesus revealed one of them would betray Him.
Peter is the first to ask “Who is it that will betray you?”
I Imagine Peter is hoping to beat the betrayer senseless.
He was that kind of guy.
* Then Jesus drops a bomb on Peter.
Lk 22:31-34 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”
Jesus tells Peter he is going to fail Him greatly.
Peter says to Jesus “No way! I’ll never fail you. Prison / die for You!
Jesus says “No, you will deny Me even this very night!”
Peter is likely thinking, “You don’t know me. I’ll never deny you!”
2. THE DENIER.
A. The Sleepy Watchman.
The meal is over. Jesus took the disciples to Gethsemane to pray.
He took Peter, James, and John away from the others to be near Him while He prayed.
He told them to Keep Watch while He prayed.
They knew Jesus was greatly distressed but three times Peter, James and John fell asleep while Jesus prayed.
The third time Jesus woke them and said “Let’s get going. The one who betrays Me is at hand.” Mt 27:46
Peter falling asleep is a form of denying Christ.
We are servants and ministers of Jesus Christ.
When we fail in our call, we, by default, deny Jesus Christ.
* As we chastise Peter’s failures while neglecting our own spiritual apathy and laziness, are we denying Christ also? Absolutely.
The Bible spells out Christ’s commandments for us. When we ignore them or willfully reject them, we have denied Christ.
B. The Impetuous Defender.
Peter also denied Christ by striking out in his own will rather that the will of Jesus Christ.
After Jesus awakened them, they are quickly confronted by Judas and the many armed soldiers and guards that were coming to arrest Jesus.
Jn 18:10-11 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”
Peter proved his love for Jesus and his willingness to die for Jesus, but he failed in his application. His bravery was actually more rash foolhardiness than bravery. He acted in his own flesh and his own wisdom instead of in the will of Christ.
We often do the same thing as we do what seems right in our own minds and will. Whenever we attempt God’s work in the flesh instead of in the Spirit we deny Christ. Whenever we act in our own will, we deny the will of Christ.
C. The Frightened Curser.
Peter’s greatest denial comes after the arrest of Jesus and He verbally denies Jesus 3 times just as Jesus had said that he would. The arrest has been made and Peter is outside hearing the accusations against Jesus and the physical abuse. Fear is gripping him as he sees all the hopes and dreams he had unraveling as it becomes obvious that they intend to kill Jesus.
Lk 22:54-62 54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
How can Peter be so fearless in the Garden and such a coward now?
Peter denies him twice by lying. By the 3rd time he was accused of being a follower of Jesus, he is so rattled that he curses and swears that he does not even know Jesus and the rooster crows.
As the rooster crowed Jesus turned and locked eyes with Peter and Peter came face to face with his great failure.
* I wonder what he saw in the eyes of Jesus?
* Was it judgement?
* Was it pain?
* Was it pity?
I don’t know, but Peter ran from that place a broken man.
He ran off into the remaining darkness of the night.
There, all alone in the darkness he wept bitterly.
* Peter was nowhere to be found as Jesus suffered on the Cross.
3. THE RESTORED APOSTLE.
So, Jesus died, was buried and rose again.
He showed Himself to the disciples many times.
But, Jesus still had some personal business with Peter.
Peter had failed Jesus miserably.
But Jesus is never content to leave His children in the darkness of failure.
One morning, As Peter and the disciples are fishing, Jesus appears on the shore.
They had caught nothing. Jesus tells them to let the nets down on the right side of the boat and when they do they had an enormous catch. Peter knew it must be Jesus. He dove in and swam to Jesus. When all had arrived, Jesus had breakfast ready for them. They enjoyed the fellowship as a group, but Jesus took Peter aside.
Jn 21:15-17 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.
3 times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. One time for each time he had denied Him. Jesus forgave him and gave him a fresh start.
* Early in His ministry, Jesus had promised Peter that he would be a great leader in the church.
Yes, Peter had failed Jesus miserably, but Jesus had not given up on him.
After Jesus ascended into Heaven and Pentecost had come, Peter got up and preached a bold sermon and the Church was invigorated to serve Christ. Peter went on to live boldly for Jesus the rest of his life. And, about 30 years later, he kept his promise to Jesus that he would willingly lay down his life for Him. He was crucified by Nero’s order in the arena. His life and death were a testimony of the love and power of Jesus Christ in the life of His servant.
Maybe you’ve failed Jesus in your life. Maybe you’ve denied Him. Maybe you fell into great sin. I will tell you that, like Peter, you may have failed Jesus miserably, but Jesus has not given up on you. Won’t you come and receive His forgiveness and restoration today?
