The Gospel of Luke

This devotional is written by Lily McGrady. Lily is a second-year drama school student and is a part of the student group. She likes country music, but hopes that you will still read her devotional.

Peter Disowns Jesus

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The Guards Mock Jesus
63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

This is a hard section to read. It seems dark, sad, and kind of hopeless, right? One of Jesus' beloved disciples, in fact the first one he called, has denied him. Three times. Just hours prior Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him, and Peter swore he never would. Then, Jesus is ruthlessly mocked and beaten. Not great, right?

Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, and yet he still entrusted Peter with some of the most important parts of his ministry and the founding of the early church. Peter is a key witness to all kinds of miracles, and he is the one who got to walk on the water with Jesus.

Luckily for Peter, and us, denying Jesus three times was nowhere near the end of his story or ministry. After the resurrection, Jesus forgave him and entrusted him with the early church, and he became the face of early Christianity making disciples and performing miracles in Jesus' name.

Peter screwed up, right? He denied Jesus, after witnessing his ministry, miracles and all. He denied Jesus after promising and promising that he would not. He denied Jesus after Jesus warned him explicitly that he would. He just couldn't get it right. However, Jesus forgave him completely and entrusted him with the most important task that was ever completed.  

Jesus used Peter after he messed up big time, and he wants to use you, too. Are you worried that something you have done may prevent you from being used for kingdom work? Jesus isn't, he wants to entrust you with His purpose. What do you think God may be entrusting you with?