Luke 22:54-62

Luke 22:54-62

And after seizing Him, they led Him and brought Him into the house of the high priest.  And Peter was following from a distance.  After lighting a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sitting, Peter was in the middle of them.  After seeing him, some female slave – while sitting with the light and after gazing intently to him – said, “This one was with him.”  And he denied while saying, “I have not known him, woman!”  And after a short time another after seeing him said, “Also you are out of them.”  And Peter said, “Man, I am not.”  And after sitting apart for an interval as if one hour, some other was confidently affirming, saying, “Upon truth also this one was with him.  For he is also a Galilean.”  And Peter said, “Man, I have not known what you say.”  And immediately while he still calls out, a cock crowed.  And after being turned, the Lord looked attentively to Peter and Peter was being reminded of the saying of the Lord.  He had said to him that, “Before a cock crows this day you will deny me three times.”  And after going out outside he wept bitterly.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus is arrested and brought into the house of the high priest.  I find it interesting that what we can see is the juxtaposition of human sin.  Judas planed his sin, but he was open and honest with himself about what he was doing.  That didn’t make it right; nor does it make it any more palatable.  But it goes to show us that we can plot openly within our mind.  On the other hand, here we have Peter.  Peter sins every bit as much as Judas as he denies knowing Jesus.  However, Peter’s sin is hidden from himself.  Peter is sinning and he isn’t even aware of the true ramifications of his actions.  Sometimes we sin and don’t realize what we are doing until it is too late.  This is the reality of human existence.  We can sin – and therefore turn our back on Jesus – with both intentional sin and sin that catches us off-guard.

What do you struggle with the most: sin of which you are aware while doing it or sin that you don’t realize is sin until after its done?  How can you learn to recognize each type of sinfulness in your life?

Second Thought:

Peter gets three opportunities.  He fails them all.  Three people give Peter the opportunity to declare his association to Jesus and he avoids each of the opportunities.  When push comes to shove, what Peter learns here in this passage is that in spite of his genuine love for Jesus his instinct is still to save his own skin.  Jesus came to die and embraced His calling.  Peter finds ways to embrace his own life.

Why are human beings so fascinated with saving our own necks?  Do you think you would be willing to forfeit your life if your association to Christ demanded it?

Third Thought:

Peter is remorseful.  He knows what he has done.  He denied that he would ever do it, but reality is far more difficult than what lives inside our minds.  Peter weeps bitterly.  He had told Jesus that he would die with Him if necessary, but here only a few hours later he is shown the truth about his humanity.  He needs Jesus as much as anyone else.  Thankfully, Jesus still loves Peter as He loves us all in the midst of our sin.  There will be forgiveness of our sins because He did die.

Have you ever been confronted with your sinfulness that it caused you to weep?  How do moments like this actually help us understand the true grace of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 22:63-65