Fearful downfall
What example is there of someone denying their faith?
Luke 22:54-62 – Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Do we always need to give an answer when asked about our faith?
1 Peter 3:14-15 – But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear …
Was Peter’s answer not a “white” lie that could be excused?
Exodus 20:16 – Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Proverbs 14:5 – A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Colossians 3:9 – Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds …
What strong warning is there against denying Jesus?
Matthew 10:32-33 – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 9:26 – For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Remark: These warnings are stark, but let us wait and see how Jesus treated Peter just a few days after his denial.
Restoration
What hope is there for a denier?
Proverbs 24:16 – For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
John 21:15-17, 19b – So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. / [19b] And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Remark: Jesus desires to restore us after we fall. Although Peter denied Him out of weakness, not rebellion, Jesus did not deny Peter, as foretold in Matthew 10:32-33 and Luke 9:26. Instead, He provided Peter the opportunity to overcome his failure and become a bold, unwavering witness, even in the face of intimidation (Acts 5:29-32). Remarkably, the path to restoration after denial includes serving within the community of believers – “feeding the sheep.”
How can Jesus’ words and actions be reconciled?
2 Timothy 2:11-13 – It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Remark: Jesus declared, “Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny” (Matthew 10:33). Yet, He did not deny Peter, despite Peter’s public denial. In 2 Timothy 2:12-13, Paul – who was surely aware of Peter’s story – repeats this principle by saying, “if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful”. How can this be reconciled? The only plausible explanation is that Peter’s denial was not the kind of rejection Jesus warned about, but rather a moment of unfaithfulness. Peter’s failure was born of fear and weakness, not from a rebellious or hostile heart. His overall attitude was one of deep love, devotion, and willingness to die for Jesus (Luke 22:33), not rejection. Peter did not have enough faith, yet Jesus “abided faithful”.
Is it normal to feel regret when we have done something like denying Jesus?
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Remark: Yes, we may feel sorrow for a while, and that is appropriate. Regret can be a healthy response if it leads to genuine repentance rather than despair. As Paul writes, it is a regret that should not be regretted (“repentance to salvation not to be repented of”; 2 Corinthians 7:10).
What did Jesus do before Peter denied him?
Luke 22:31-32 – And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Remark: Jesus prayed for Peter in advance, showing His care and support even before the failure occurred. He does not want us to despair, but to rise up and strengthen our brothers and sisters, even after our own moments of weakness.
