Read: Luke 22:54-62
Woman, I do not know him. (v. 57)
Jesus stood before the high priest and religious leaders. They questioned him about his identity and brought false witnesses (Matt. 26:59-60). Jesus knew where this would lead, and he calmly refused to engage. The result—they condemned him, as they had planned (vv. 66-71).
While Jesus sat on trial in the high priest’s house, Peter was on trial informally in the courtyard. When asked if he was a disciple—whether he was with Jesus—Peter claimed not to know Jesus at all (vv. 56-57). Peter faced the same question again, but instead of waking up to what was happening, he doubled down on denial (v. 58).
We see this kind of behavior all the time. Someone gets caught doing wrong, and instead of owning up to it, they dig in their heels and protest even louder, bluffing that if they protest loudly enough, their accusers will just let it go. It was the same with Peter. When asked a third time, Peter denied it again and, at that moment, a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked at Peter across the long distance of the courtyard and Peter realized what he had done. He went out weeping (vv. 59-62).
Who was on trial? Jesus was on trial before the high priest, and Peter was facing a trial of sorts in the courtyard. However, it is we who are truly on trial as we read this story. How will we respond? Will we condemn Jesus like the high priests, deny him like Peter, or embrace him like a disciple?
As you pray, ask Jesus to help you to always hold fast to him.
About the Author
Stephen Shaffer is the pastor at Bethel Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario.
