On the night that Jesus was arrested, the Lord predicted Peter’s faults and failures: “This very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times” (Mark 14:30, see also Matthew 26:34 and Luke 22:34).
That’s exactly what happened. Jesus was right… again.
Following His arrest at Gethsemane, they “led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened” (Matthew 26:57). Peter followed at a safe distance.
The servants had “lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them” (Luke 22:55).
“A servant girl approached him and said, ‘You were with Jesus the Galilean too.’ But he denied it in front of everyone: ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ (Matthew 26:69-70). She was just a girl, but the big, strong fisherman denied even knowing Jesus.
A bit later, “another woman saw him and told those who were there, ‘This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!’ And again he denied it with an oath: ‘I don’t know the man!’ ” (Matthew 26:71-72). Usually brave and bold, after Jesus’ arrest, Peter was timid and filled with fear. Wimp!
And, just as Jesus predicted, Peter failed for a third time. “After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, ‘You really are one of them, since even your accent gives you away.’ Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, ‘I don’t know the man!’ ” (Matthew 26:73-74).
Peter watched and winced as the Innocent One stood trial. Peter saw them spit in His Friend’s face and slap Him (Matthew 26:67).
The vicious slap across Jesus’ face couldn’t have hurt as bad as … cock-a-doodle-doo! Peter felt as though he’d been punched in the gut! “Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter… And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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