The Denial Of Peter

Most national sports leagues have a Hall of Fame where players with notable careers are inducted. There is even a Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fame.

However, most Christians have what is called a “Hall of Shame.” Inducted in the Christian’s Hall of Shame are those things you would rather not think about. Perhaps they are memories of who you were before Christ saved you.

The Apostle Paul had a Hall of Shame and the only time when he reached back and pulled out one of the tarnished trophies was to let people know that Jesus Christ had forgiven him for everything he was and did during those times. He wanted people to know that though his sin was great, God’s grace was greater still!

Today we are going to look at a portion of the life of Peter, one of the disciples or followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will look at an event in his life that he would most surely include in his "hall of shame.” We are going to look at the time when he denied that he even knew Jesus. We are going to see that Peter had:

1.) An overconfident spirit

2.) An insecure love

3.) An unholy alliance

4.) An empty hope

5.) A restored fellowship

John chapter 18 tells us that the events which led to Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus began in a garden:

John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

John 18:2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

John 18:3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

It’s no coincidence that this encounter took place in a garden.

King David was betrayed in this same garden. In 2 Samuel 15:30-32, King David was betrayed by a friend (Ahithophel) while crossing the brook Kidron and going up to the Mount of Olives.

In John 18:1, Jesus crosses over this same brook with His disciples as He makes His way to the garden in the Mount of Olives. It was in this same area that Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Judas.

This olive garden was the ideal place for His disciples to make a quick get away. Now the Scriptures don’t say this but it does let us know that Jesus did not want His disciples to be captured or killed.

In verses 8 and 9 Jesus told the detachment of troops and officers, "… if you seek Me, let these go their way,” and then John’s commentary: “that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’”

Jesus told the soldiers, “Let these go their way…” But nooooo, Peter was not submitting to his master’s desires. John 18:10 says, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear.”

Why would he do this? The key to discovering the answering to this question can be found in John chapter 13:

John 13:36 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."

John 13:37 Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."

John 13:38 Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Mark’s account of this conversation is even more graphic:

Mark 14:29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."

Mark 14:30 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."

Mark 14:31 But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise.

1.) An Overconfident Spirit

It was pride that motivated Peter to swing that sword. He remembered what he said to Jesus and he was going to prove to Jesus that he would NOT deny Him. Pride has been the downfall of many a person.

How many people have died because of a dare? Someone says to them, “I dare you...”

Some years ago the news reported a 23-year-old Akron, Ohio man choked to death after he tried to swallow a live 5-inch fish on a dare.

In NY a 14-year-old teen Eric Alvarez was riding home from school, his friends dared him to climb to the top of the train, a practice known as "subway surfing.” The teenager was killed when his head struck an overhead beam and he fell to the tracks.