We can learn countless lessons from Peter’s denial of Jesus. In this post, we will discover the top 5 important messages to carry with us from Peter’s denial. Each lesson includes a Bible verse, prayer, and a practical response.
These 5 lessons are about:
making promises you can keep;
always speaking the truth;
making the right choice at any time;
being ready to testify;
surrounding yourself with fellow believers.
Before we dive into the lessons, let’s discover the context and setting of Peter’s denial.
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Slotting Peter’s denial of Jesus into the grander Gospel narrative.
(The following is a summary of Matthew 26:26-75 and other Gospel accounts of the time Peter denied Jesus)
Peter was one of the twelve disciples and, therefore, one of Jesus’ best friends. However, when Jesus got arrested and Peter feared for his own life, he denied ever knowing Jesus Christ. That is what this post is focused on.
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Earlier, when Jesus’ disciples were having their last supper together in the upper room, Jesus warned them about what was about to happen to him. Peter stood up for Jesus and said he would be there with Jesus through it all. He promised to protect Jesus against the harm that was coming His way. Peter, like the other disciples, did not understand that this was God’s will.
But Jesus knew exactly what was about to happen and he also knew that Peter’s bravery would not last very long. So, in front of all the disciples, Jesus turned to Peter and said: “Before the rooster crows (before morning), you will have denied three times that you ever knew me.”
After the meal, Jesus took them to the garden of Gethsemane. He became very troubled and started praying; He also instructed the disciples to pray. After praying for a while, Jesus returns to the disciples, only to find they have fallen asleep. He says to Peter specifically: “You couldn’t stay awake with me for one hour? Wake up and pray.”
“For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This happened three times, and then Jesus woke the disciples up and said the time had come, His betrayer was there. One of the other disciples, a man named Judas, had sold out Jesus for a few pieces of silver. Jesus was arrested right there by the chief priests and elders (Jewish leaders) of the Jewish people because they believed He was disrupting the people and not the real Messiah.
Peter wanted to protect Jesus and pulled out his sword. The servant of the high priest yelled out and held his ear Peter cut off. Jesus turned to Peter and told him to put His sword away. He reached out and healed the servant’s ear. Then all the disciples ran and fled the scene as Jesus was taken away. That is how Peter came to be on his own in a crowd of servants who gathered in the high priest’s courtyard in the middle of the night.
Everyone knew that Jesus was being cross-examined inside. The Sanhedrin and the high priest Caiaphas were looking for a reason that would allow them to put Jesus to death. Outside, in the courtyard of the high priest, a fire was casting light on Peter’s face and someone recognized him as one of the disciples. Peter denied ever knowing Jesus. This happened three times, and then, at the exact moment of the third denial, the rooster crowed.
1. Make Promises You Can Keep
Peter told Jesus: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” But Jesussaid, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”( Luke 22:33-34).
Lesson 1 from Peter’s denial of Jesus
Peter’s zeal and willingness to protect Jesus in central in the story of Jesus’ trial. However, the Gospel writers do not necessarily portray Peter’s commitment to Jesus as admirable. Why is that?
It helps to recall earlier in the Gospel story when Jesus began to point out to his disciples that He needed to go to Jerusalem, be killed, and be raised from the dead on the third day. Upon hearing this Peter – yes, the same Peter – took Jesus aside and said: “No, this will never happen to you!” Then Jesus famously told Peter: “Get behind me, Satan!” He told Peter that he was hindering the will of God because he was only thinking in human terms. (You can read about this encounter in Matthew 16:21-23).
So Peter’s boldness is often clumsy. He is the perfect example of someone with good intentions but poor execution. Peter’s concern for Jesus is not wise or aligned with God’s will. It is completely based on his own wishes and desires. This is one of the most important lessons that we can learn from Peter’s denial of Jesus: Do not make promises that you cannot keep. Be careful not to be swept up in a moment and say things you do not mean. You will be held accountable for your words, so be wise about what you promise.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, so often, my words fall out of my mouth without a second thought.
Would You help me to see things from Your perspective?
I don’t want my passion and zeal for You to be unwise.
Show me what You see when You look at me.
Teach me about wisdom from the book of Proverbs.
Help me to only make promises that I can keep.
Amen.
Practical application of the lesson
Make a simple promise today that you can keep and write down a reminder for yourself about it. That way you can practice how to become a man (or woman) of your word.
Think of someone who is super zealous for God; Now think of someone who is wise in a godly way. What can they learn from each other? What can you learn from each of them?
Photo by Tony Eight Media on Unsplash
2. Always Speak The Truth
““Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:59-62
Lesson 2 from Peter’s denial of Jesus
Of all the lessons we could learn from Peter’s denial of Jesus, this one is probably the simplest. Even a child can understand this lesson, but it is exceptionally hard to live out. “Do not lie” is one of the Ten Commandments given to God’s people in the very beginning, yet it is something that we still struggle with today. The Ten Commandments are like God’s “how-to-manual” for life, yet we often forget about it.
Imagine being Peter when Jesus turned and looked at him after the rooster crowed. In that moment Peter realizes that his lies to the servant girl and others, when he pretended not to know Jesus, had caught up with him like lies always do. Lies tend to follow a snowball effect. One lie leads to another, and another, and another… Until a whole avalanche is coming your way!
The story of Peter teaches us that it is important for a follower of Jesus to acknowledge Him before people. We remember Matthew 5:11 when Jesus said that those who suffer because of Him will receive a great reward in heaven. Peter feared punishment and persecution, so he denied knowing Jesus and in doing so he missed out on a blessing.
Prayer
Dear God, Help me to learn from Peter’s denial to speak the truth.
Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to always acknowledge the son of the living God in all I do.
Remind me that God’s grace is big enough to redeem me when I have sinned and told a lie.
Help me to always speak the truth in love like Ephesians 4:15 says.
Amen.
Practical application of the lesson
Apologize to somebody today for a lie that you said. It can be small or big, but it is important to ask for forgiveness anyway. Doing so will break the cycle of lying in your life.
If there’s something you need to say to somebody, that you’ve been holding back. Read Ephesians 4:15 and reflect on what it might look like to speak the truth in love.
3. It’s Never Too Late To Make The Right Choice
John 21:15-17 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Lesson 3 from Peter’s denial of Jesus
After Jesus rose from the dead, we can imagine how the apostle Peter felt. Peter’s faith waned when it mattered most. Now Christ Jesus was proven to be the true Messiah, yet Peter had denied Him. Peter’s experience must have filled him with grief, shame, and guilt. These are all feelings that we know well. Such feelings can swallow us whole if we let them.
But the good news is found in the story above, where Jesus offered Peter an opportunity to restore his relationship with Christ. Just like how Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus offered Peter three chances to answer the question: “Do you love me?” And Peter’s answer every time? “Yes, Lord!” In His great love, Jesus makes space for Peter to prove where his affection lies.
The lessons to be learned from Peter’s denial of Jesus are all about decision-making, but this one is a little bit different. It is important to remember that God’s grace covers a multitude of sins. A new beginning is always possible. Peter’s denial of Jesus was the worst moment of his life, and yet, Jesus still made a way for Peter to make things right. No situation is too far gone for God to turn things around.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to never think it is too late to make things right.
You offered Peter a chance to restore his relationship with you.
Would you extend the same mercy to me?
I do love You, Lord.
Help me to remember it’s never too late to make the right choice.
You offer your people many chances, so even when I feel like Jonah who was swallowed by a whale, I can still make the right decision and do the task You’ve put before me.
Amen.
Practical application of the lesson
Think of a situation or relationship in your life that feels like it is beyond repair. Brainstorm with the Holy Spirit to identify a small step you can take towards growth instead.
If someone has wronged you and you’ve held onto unforgiveness for a long time, now is the time to let that go. Forgive that person and hand your feelings about the situation over to God.
4. Be Ready To Testify
1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Lesson 4 from Peter’s denial of Jesus
While it is disputed whether the books of 1 and 2 Peter were written by the same Peter who denied Jesus, the correlation here stands out. The beautiful verse above is often quoted by modern believers as a motivation to testify. This is probably the most practical and missional of all the lessons we can learn from Peter’s denial of Jesus.
Unfortunately, Peter was not prepared to give an answer. He was not willing to explain his relationship to Jesus. And look where that got him. We can learn from Peter’s denial of Jesus and actively focus on not denying Jesus. But, what does that look like if you are not being persecuted for your faith? It’s not like people are shining a torch in our faces and interrogating us about whether or not we know Jesus…
Yet I think we can still deny Him. We deny Jesus when we deny the soft whisper of the Holy Spirit within prompting us to do something good for someone else; we deny Jesus when someone asks about our thoughts on something and we do not share our faith beliefs for the fear of being unpopular; we deny Him every time we choose the way of the world instead of the way of the Kingdom.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Search my heart and show me the places in my life where I have denied You.
I want people to look at my life and see Jesus.
I desire to testify and witness of what You’ve done for me, please create an opportunity this week for me to do that.
Help me to be ready to testify of Your great love. I want to be like the woman at the well who told everyone who would listen what You have done for her!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Practical application of the lesson
What is one area of your life where you can share about God? It can be sharing a testimony with someone, putting a Bible verse on your status or bio online, or getting a bumper sticker.
Your home is showing what you love and where your affection lies. For most of us, it’s entertainment and fun. But how can you show in your house that you love God?
5. Surround Yourself With Fellow Believers
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches us that “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”
Lesson 5 from Peter’s denial of Jesus
There’s a famous saying that if you remove a log from a burning fire and place it to the side, by itself, it will die out. It might still burn for a little while, but soon the cold and wind will cause it to fizzle out entirely. This metaphor is often used to describe what happens when a Christian is taken out of community. Even though faith is deeply personal, it is not a private thing.
To not try to do the Christian walk alone is one of the most powerful lessons to be learned from Peter’s denial of Jesus. When Jesus got arrested, the disciples scattered in all directions in the pitch-black night. Peter followed Jesus from a distance and that’s how he happened to arrive in the courtyard of the high priest. He was all alone. There was nobody there who had his back or who could protect him.
Peter tried to blend into the crowd of servants because he feared for his life. That’s how it came to be that he was surrounded by the wrong crowd. If Peter was among the disciples, or if someone else was with him, he might not have denied knowing Jesus. But because he was all alone, he felt like he had no choice but to lie.
Prayer
Dear God, I want to burn brightly for you. I don’t want to hide away my passion.
Bring the right people around me that will kindle that flame. Please plant me deeply in community so that I can be protected.
You created humans to live in community and said of Adam: “It is not good for man to be alone”
Teach me the value of good, godly friendships.
Help me to be surrounded by fellow believers.
Amen.
Practical application of the lesson
Reach out to a fellow believer to spend time together this week. You can have coffee or go on a walk. You don’t need to talk about God all the time, but see how it goes…
If you are not currently in a church, Google churches or Christian communities in your area right now. Plan to visit one this week. If you are unable to go in the mornings, look for one with an evening service.
Eljoh Hartzer is combining theology and art to nurture faith journeys across generations. She is a Masters-level Practical Theologian with the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a writer and editor in the niche of Christianity and children's content and she illustrates children's books. Eljoh resides in the Swartland area in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
You can follow Eljoh on LinkedIn or Instagram.
