Negare | Denied

He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.” – Luke 22: 57 

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The story of Peter’s threefold denial of Christ is found in all four Gospel accounts. The one in Luke is in 22:55–62. A question many people ask, is why would the chief of the disciples deny even knowing Jesus Christ? Of course, we don’t know exactly, but fear was most probably one of the main reasons.

Although all the other disciples had fled (Mark 14:50), Peter still followed Jesus after His arrest, but he kept his distance. Peter watched as Jesus was being falsely accused, beaten, and insulted. Peter must have been gripped with fear and many other emotions. Peter wasn’t nearly as courageous as he had proclaimed. In fear he denied Jesus Christ.

Fear can be paralyzing. When we feel paralyzed by fear, we feel powerless and weak. It is in times of fear that we do things that are irrational, like Peter did. However, there is always hope. Even though Peter denied Jesus Christ, he received a second chance.

We read about this new chance in John 21 and it is connected to a charcoal fire. In the New Testament, only two times a charcoal fire (fire of coals) is mentioned. The first incident was in the courtyard of the high priest where Peter warmed his hands and where he denied that he knew Jesus (John 18:18). The second time was after the resurrection of Jesus, when Jesus cooked his disciples’ breakfast on the shores of Galilee on a fire of coals (John 21:9). There Peter was looking at a charcoal fire again. It is very likely that Peter thought back about that atrocious night in the courtyard of the high priest. 

There at the second charcoal fire, Peter received his second chance. Jesus did not tell Peter that he was not good enough, and needed more time to prove himself. Jesus just asked him: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15). It was such an important question. Jesus asked it three times. 

This is the most essential question for every believer, every day: Do you love Jesus? No matter what happened previously, do you love Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Saviour today? He who has Jesus has the life (1 John 5:12).

If we love Jesus, we will accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour because He died for us and His blood purified us from all sins.  If we love Jesus, we also receive what Jesus offers us: the complete forgiveness of sins. He is our all-sufficient Saviour. Christ was the perfect and final sacrifice. There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only One who can forgive us and deliver us from the the penalty of sin. He offered Himself once, for all sin, for all time (Hebrews 10:12). By His one offering, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). 

Let's confess Jesus as our Lord and Saviour without any fear! As we read in Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly".  We do not need to fear, as the Lord is our helper (Hebrews 13:6).

Reflection on Luke 22: 47 – 71 by Hanne Teach

(Listen to podcast here)

 

The greatest

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. - Luke 22:24

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The Dispute about Greatness

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, "The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials, 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

31 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33 And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day until you have denied three times that you know me."

Purse, Bag, and Sword

35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." 36 He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And he was counted among the lawless,' and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." 38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It is enough."

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

Reflecting on the short passage, captured meticulously by St. Luke (the physician). It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes that as our Lord was preparing for that great battle for the salvation of human souls, He was solely focused on accomplishing His life mission from the Father, to die for our sins. Yet the very disciples who had journeyed with Him as His closest companions, were still arguing about who would be the greatest, and even Peter, who boasted that he alone would not leave nor forsake his Lord and Master. Only to be proven so wrong hours later when Jesus was arrested and tried by a kangaroo court, that he would fulfill the prophetic words of his Master about his denial of Jesus 3 times (before the cock crows).

Yet there was a hope-filled statement in Jesus' prophecy, because our LORD already foreknew that He would one day reinstate Peter as the leader of the church on Earth, after His death, resurrection and ascension to the Father in heaven. 

Reflecting on my own faith journey, I recount the number of times that I had boasted about following Christ wholeheartedly. Yet in the midst of my own battles with clinical depression, I got angry with God for giving me this accursed illness. Only to realize with much regrets and gentle chidings from the Holy Spirit, that God the Father was using the illness to shape my broken character and fallen nature in order that my life may reflect His Son's character in increasing measures. 

Peter could write with much wisdom in his later years about God's mercy to us sinful humans. (2 Pet 3:9): "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."

I will close my sharing with this beautiful worship song: "A Thousand Hallelujahs". This is an anthem that we'll be singing with the choirs of angels and saints in heaven, and our lips will be praising God forever and ever in His Glorious Presence. 

Amen.

A Thousand Hallelujahs 

Verse 1 

Who else would rocks cry out to worship?

Whose glory taught the stars to shine? 

Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing 

But this joy is mine. 

Chorus 

With a thousand hallelujahs 

We magnify Your name 

You alone deserve the glory 

The honor and the praise 

Lord Jesus 

This song is forever Yours 

A thousand hallelujahs 

And a thousand more. 

Verse 2 

Who else would die for our redemption? 

Whose resurrection means I'll rise? 

There isn't time enough to sing of all You've done 

But I have eternity to try 

(Repeat Chorus)

Youtube: https://youtu.be/vR_sI9lkowA?si=j5Txz1XLCBC_q-mE 

Singer: Brooke Lingertwood

Reflection on Luke 22:24-46 by Chris Tan