Summary of passage: Peter, of course, asks Jesus where he’s going (none of them quite understanding Jesus’ words). Jesus says they will follow him to where he’s going later. Peter protests, saying he wants to go with the Lord now. Jesus calls him on his bluff, saying he’s about to disown him 3 times in less than 24 hours!
Questions:
6) Jesus says Peter is will disown him 3 times before the rooster crows. Peter will be more able to strengthen his brothers, having been wrung through the wringer by Satan and then confessed his sin. He can better relate to people having denied Jesus out of fear and then come to him stronger.
7) Personal Question. My answer: It gives me courage to do His will for my life when I am scared of losing income because I know He will bless me much more in the long term which will lead to me being able to touch many more lives than I do already.
Conclusions: How many of us know a Peter in our lives? Someone who is gung-ho on everything and then when the time comes to put the talk into action, they back down or freeze up or come up with an excuse. How encouraging for us that even though we may freeze up in that moment for Jesus, he forgives us and strengthens us and moves us forward according to His will. Great stuff!
End Notes: Jesus tells Peter he will eventually follow him. He just doesn’t mention the after you die part.
Peter is 100% committed as a disciple of Jesus. He says he’ll lay down his life for him. At this moment. Later, he fails because he let emotion get in the way.
Peter’s denial of Jesus is not the same as Judas’. Judas planned his and is deliberate. Peter’s is in the heat of the moment, based on fickle passions, and is accidental. It is still bad but not as bad as Judas’. This is a whole different level.
Christ must die for Peter FIRST; then Peter can die for Jesus.
Peter denies Jesus off of very human emotions of being laughed at. He was embarrassed. The girl’s tongue is sharper than a sword! Peter denies he even knows Jesus, let alone denying he will lay his life down for him. Peter does go from bad to worse. However, Jesus forgives those who make very human mistakes (all of us) with the right heart. Dark hearts (like Judas’) are not forgiven.
Jesus knows Peter’s heart here and says so!
The time is halfway between midnight and dawn is when the rooster crows. It was the 3rd of 4 Roman nightwatches.
