Allen Laben - Class 4: Denial

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:01

   We’re ready to begin our fourth class in the story of the Apostle, Peter and the fourth class will be denial. Will read Mark 14 verses 66 to 72 in preparation for this class. Mark 1466 through 70 72 and as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh, one of the maids of the high priest and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him and said and thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied saying I know not.

2. 0:42

   Neither understand I what thou sayest and he went out into the porch and the cock crew And a maid saw him again and began to say to them that stood by. This is one of them and he denied it again and a little after they that stood by sit. Again, to Peter, surely Thou Art one of them for thou art, a Galilean in thy speech with Griff there, too.

3. 1:09

   But he began to curse and to swear saying, I know, not this man, whom you speak. And the second time, the cock crew and Peter called to mind the word. That Jesus said unto him before the cock Crow twice, Thou shalt deny me Thrice and when he thought their own he wept, if this time will call upon our brother Alan Laban and his class denial Good morning, everyone. It’s good to see everyone again this morning as we continue through our studies on the life and the example of Simon Peter. So as was mentioned, this is our fourth class looking now at those events that are leading up to the culmination of Peters experience.

4. 1:59

   With Jesus, during his ministry, will be looking deeply into his denials. And let’s start with some context, our last class yesterday morning. Ended about six months away from Jesus death, right? Before, Jesus started to make that final trip down south from the area up around Galilee, he was up in caesarea Philippi. When we left him down south to Jerusalem in Luke is the one that really takes over the narrative here.

5. 2:23

   And he talks about these travel narratives. This Narrative of his router geographically, a rather indirect route. He makes as he goes down to Jerusalem. And Peter appears specifically, three times through these travel narratives. He asks, three different distinct. Questions, he asks, about forgiveness. How shall my brother sin against me? And I forgive him, that was one of Peters questions to Jesus.

6. 2:45

   He asks about the explanations for a Jesus Parables around the kingdom and he asked about the rewards, the disciples would receive once that Kingdom came. And as we progress through these final six months and into these final into the final week with Jesus, it seems as if all for the gospel writers, slow down the pace and they pay greater engagement.

7. 3:07

   Greater attention to each detail. We looked at this chart yesterday and saw how the gospels are concentrated. Not only on this last year of Jesus’s life, 64% of all the verses in the four gospels are in the last year, but especially on this last week that makes up 34% over third of the Gospel record.

8. 3:26

   And so now, Jesus arrives in the area of Jerusalem about six days before Passover and starts to make these daily trips from the area that he’s staying in, Bethany up around the Mount of Olives. I was down to the kedron valley and through the south gate up into Jerusalem and then each night during those final six days, he retraces his steps down to the Kidron Valley around the Mount of Olives and back out to Bethany. And it’s during this final period that we see the interactions between Peter and Jesus, just explode with frequency.

9. 3:55

   Here’s our timeline that we looked at yesterday and you also have in your handout, we covered the interactions Peters, three calls during his first year. We looked at the vignette of him, walking on the water at the close of the second year in the start of the Third. We looked at Peter’s confession of faith in the rebuke that immediately followed it in the third year. And here we are in that final week when all these interactions cluster together between Peter and his master. And while many of these interactions between Peter and Jesus are recorded in, maybe one or two of the Gospel records, there is one series of interactions. That is recorded in all four gospel records, and that is in the The denials of the denials of Jesus, this chart gives us a visual representation of where each gospel contains information that is unique just to that gospel, right? So the Mark only has a very small little bit that are eating the green, that’s only found in Mark. Matthew has a slightly larger portion that’s only found in Matthew.

10. 4:57

    Most of the unique material in Luke, isn’t that travel narrative portion? As Jesus Journey Down south From Galilee down to Jerusalem and then John as you read it, it reads like a A very unique narrative, has the majority of its unique information, compared to the others, and a lot of that is concentrated on that last week and even on that last night. The blue is where the gospels have items that are in common where multiple gospels talk about the same event and whenever you see it, you should take note. And the Bible repetition is a teaching device. And so when something’s repeated, we should pause and say, ah, why is that repeated?

11. 5:33

    What can I learn from that and all four? Gospels Converge on talking about Peter’s denial. It’s interesting to note that the most information we get about Peters denial is from Mark’s gospel and we haven’t really dug into this fact too much this weekend but Mark was the Gospel. That was most likely written based off of Peters testimony. And so you get a unique perspective on Peter by looking at the gospel that was largely comprised of Peters observations about Jesus and Peter in his humility in Mark’s gospel. It records the Detail.

12. 6:08

    It’s one of the only places where Marc records more detailed in the other gospels about that Denial. In addition to what we read in our opening reading in Mark 14 16 66 to 72 Peters denial is also recorded over in Matthew and Luke and in John, and I’ll be putting all four passages up on the screen here as we try to harmonize those accounts.

13. 6:31

    So we’re going to start with the last supplements. This is that with the Last Supper, as a narrative of the four gospels converge. This is where it’s helpful to read a parallel Bible account that lines up the events. As you can see on the screen here, it’s only through aligning. Those four counts that we get a complete picture of all the events in the sequence.

14. 6:51

    That’s taking place around that last supper leading up to Peter’s Denial on the night of Jesus. Betrayal will be zeroing in here on three episodes in Alert during the Last Supper that set the stage for the denials, just like there were three denials Jesus warned. Peter about those denials three times and three times, Peter also made these overarching promises of how he would never deny Christ. He would always stay by his side. It’s John that records, the first warning. Please turn there with me to John chapter 13 after they gathered in the upper room, Jesus washed his disciples feet as recorded in those opening verses of John chapter 13 verses 1 through 17 at first, as we know Peter resisted and then he insisted, he’d be washed all over and while we don’t have time to look into it.

15. 7:42

    Now, this was another turning point for Peter, realizing that a life following Jesus meant a life of service Jesus. Said at the end of that encounter, if I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. Brave given you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

16. 8:02

    In John 13, moving down to verses 23 through 35. Jesus warned, that one of them that that supper would betray him the disciples are there, left wondering if it was them that would be betraying Jesus. They didn’t know at that point it was Judas it’s in that context that they eat that first Memorial meal when they witness. The example of Jesus washing their feet and now examining their own Hearts to see, could it be them? That would be trailer Master.

17. 8:28

    Jesus privacy privately, let’s Judas know that what that he knew what was going to happen. And then when Judas leaves the meal and goes out into the night, Jesus knows they’re only hours left the clock starts ticking, then turning back to his disciples, he addresses them all, in John 13, Verse 33 little children. Yet a little while.

18. 8:48

    I Am with You, ye shall seek me. And, as I said unto the Jews, whether I go, you cannot come. So now I say to you, Peter hears, this and is Disturbed. First Jesus says someone there, someone among the 12 is going to betray him and now he talks about going to a place he can’t follow.

19. 9:06

    If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Peter by this point is that Peter wants to be close to Jesus. He does not want to go to a place where Jesus is not he wants to follow Jesus everywhere and that brings us to the first of the three warnings Jesus gives Peter about the upcoming denials. So, moving down to a verse 37, Peter says unto him. Lord, Ready.

20. 9:27

    Why cannot I follow the now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. At one level, we can see Peters growth here. Peter wants to go wherever Jesus is going nomura, trying to resist his call. Like we saw back on the shores of Galilee. No more like trying to stop him as we saw him dirty back down from caesarea Philippi and Peter here makes the first of his three promises. I will lay down my life for you at this point. He does not know the ironic nature of that. Statement.

21. 9:56

    It was Jesus, that would be laying down his life for Peter. And Jesus responds lay down your life for me, by the time, the night is over. You won’t even admit to knowing me. From here. We’ll leave John’s account in John Chapter 13 and move over to Luke 22 where we see the second promise from Peter.

22. 10:14

    And the second warning from Jesus. About those upcoming denials, going back to our timeline, the parallel account for Luke, 22 indicates, that, after Jesus is first, warnings debate started to arise among the disciples about, who would be the greatest. It was certainly a misplaced conversation, considering the the context, but we can see where that debate arose from right. What?

23. 10:38

    What happened? Just before, go back to the time. When Jesus announces, that one of them is going to portray them. All the disciples are wondering is it? I they’re examining themselves and it says over in Luke 22 verse 23, they began to inquire among themselves. And as is so often the case, what should be an examination of ourselves individually turns into an examination of those around us, turns into a comparison of ourselves first others, the flesh tries to lift itself up by comparing ourselves to others the flashlights to avoid examination.

24. 11:12

    When it can just examine the faults in someone else. That’s much easier to examine the faults of your neighbor. And then the thoughts of yourself, it’s like when Jesus talked about the Pharisee back in, Luke 18 who looked up to heaven and I prayed I thank thee that I am not as other men are and we can fall into that same trap.

25. 11:29

    We can compare ourselves to those around us and when we’re called to examine ourselves and light of the memorials is not to the other sitting around us it’s to the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus addressed the topic here but then turns his attention back to Peter and gives him his second warning. Now down in Luke, 22, verse 31.

26. 11:51

    So based on the debate, the disciples had all just engaged in. Jesus knew that Peter hadn’t really heard his first warning, so picking up in verse 31, Jesus appealed to Peter calling him Simon. Simon a double emphasis. The only time we see this used in scripture using his old given name. That means to here. Reminding this He needed to listen, he needed to listen. Jesus says to Peter behold, Satan, hath desired to have you that he may sift.

27. 12:20

    You as wheat. Who is the Satan that Jesus was referring to hear? What Satan was Desiring to have peer. Well, there’s two options. This could be a reference to Peter’s inner adversary, his flesh, his own personal saying, there’s certainly a scriptural precedent for that. It was just as six months ago, that Peter was called Satan by Jesus on their road back from caesarea. Philippi Peter was again being his own adversary here by not taking.

28. 12:47

    Seriously, Jesus is warning. So convinced of was he of his own loyalty? That he wasn’t pausing to listen to hear what Jesus had to say. We’re it’s reminiscent of what we see over in First Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh. He standeth, take heed, lest he fall, Peter was convinced. He was going to stand and he had to paused and realized that he was vulnerable.

29. 13:14

    But the other possibility here is that Satan refers to the rulers of the people similar to how John would later in Revelation. Chapter 2 verse 13. To the roaming, Roman ruling class as Satan in pergamos or how Peter himself later referred to the Roman Emperor Nero. As the devil could Satan here, be referring to the ruling class, to the Sanhedrin who had been conspiring over that previous week to arrest Jesus. Were they interested in Peter as well? That language that Jesus uses May sift. You as wheat is significant, it comes from Amos, chapter 9 verse 9, where it’s talking about Israel. Self being sifted among the nation’s, the Jewish rulers, certainly wanted to sift the disciples, sort them in separate them and disperse them apart.

30. 14:01

    Ironically, it was those Jewish rulers themselves that would be sifted as wheat in 70 AD Jesus says that he prayed for Peters Faith here that it would not fail or or be eclipsed by the darkness of the night that was about to come. And he also tells Peter, that he prayed that he would focus on strengthening his breath Peter’s, Focus was still primarily on himself. Right?

31. 14:26

    Why can I not follow you? I will lay down my life for you. Jesus not only prayed that Peter would not fall away, but he would help his Brethren not fall away. Either, this was a lesson that Peter clearly learned, we read later in acts, in his Epistles of the efforts of Peter to strengthen his Brethren and that word that Jesus used strengthen becomes a term Peter touches on time.

32. 14:48

    And again, for example, in a first Peter, he Moses his epistle and first Peter 5:10 with these words but the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his eternal, glory by Christ Jesus. After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect established and also the opening of his Second Epistle Peter returns to this word.

33. 15:10

    Strengthened, wherefore, I will not be negligent to put. You always in remembrance of these things though you know, them and be established that same word strengthen all. So interesting here is the use of the word converted. We alluded to this in our first class, how here we have Peter and Jesus toward the end of Jesus.

34. 15:31

    Ministry in still. Peter has yet to be converted. The word converted is a fairly common Greek term. It just means to turn again or turn back and I think it’s safe to say that Peter at this point thought he had been converted. But what Jesus is instructing us here, is that conversion is a continual process. Just as is growth, there will be multiple points in our lives. It’s we have to turn in turn again toward Christ. Continuing back in Luke’s account in verse 33. Peter responds, Lord.

35. 16:02

    I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death. If there’s one thing we can say for Peter it’s that he tries and his response, he is showing that he’s trying Peter. Listen to what Jesus said and recalled the last time he heard Jesus used that word Satan and and the conversation he was trying to prevent Jesus from going to his death.

36. 16:23

    So, you can see some growth here. Now, Peter, accepts that Peter is not trying to prevent Jesus from going down this path. He’s now saying, wherever it leads, he will go with his Lord. Jesus responds in verse 34. I tell thee Peter, the cock shall not Crow this day before Thou shalt Thrice deny. That thou knowest me just like the double use of that name. Simon Simon previously, would have caught Peters attention. Now, Jesus is catching Peters attention by using his name. Peter You see even though Jesus changed the name. Simon’s, name to Peter back in their first encounter. Jesus had only used that name while at this point to other times.

37. 17:04

    I had that first instance, back in a John 1 verse 42, when he was initially called. And that second instance, as we saw after that great confession, in Matthew, 16 Verse 18. So this is only the third time that Jesus is using that name. Peter, it would have made Peter perk up as we know Peter in the Greek is Petros. Meaning a A rock is contrasted with the more common term for a large mass of rock Petra, Peter, that piece of rock would only find his strength in connection with that larger foundation stone of Christ of Christ.

38. 17:36

    And like, this was Peters, second promised, this would be Jesus’s second warning to Peter. Jesus warned, Peter, that in his coming denials, he was about to treat that rock of Christ as a stumbling Stone, Peter himself would treat. Jesus, as a rock of offense, Iraq, to be rejected returning to our Harmony of the accounts will next move to Matthew.

39. 18:01

    And Mark, where we’ll see Jesus, warned, Peter, a third, tyrants, are you missing? We’re working our ways right? To left the first warning in the first promised in John, the second warning, the second promise in Luke. And now the third warning, the third promise in Matthew and Mark setting up this denial sequence following Peter second warning, Jesus warned, all of his disciples of the struggles to come and exhorts them to embrace.

40. 18:23

    Peace of God, the disciples then leave the upper room after they sing A Hymn and they begin to exit the city. And at first, this would seem like the prior six nights in Jerusalem where they exited down to the south gate, start to make their way North to the Kidron Valley round, the Mount of Olives and head out to Bethany with Jesus, talking to them, and teaching them along the way. However, this time they didn’t go all the way up to Bethany as they had previous night’s instead, they went off to this Garden alongside, Luke mentions in 22 verse 39, that they have done this before so it may not have seemed as unusual initially and it’s here in as they’re heading into the garden that we read of Peters, third warning in his third promise, just before Jesus is Agony, there in the garden. Matthew and Mark record, what happens next? I’ve got both accounts up here on the screen now, he isn’t now, this warning isn’t just directed at Peter, but at all, the disciples Matthew 14:27 records, that Jesus said to them all, ye shall be offended.

41. 19:28

    Because of me, this night for it is written, I will Smite the shepherd, and the Sheep shall be scattered, but after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee Jesus words. Here were meant as a warning, but also to give some comfort though, they see. Soon would be scattered, Jesus would see them again back in the place where it all began on those shores of Galilee, though, he is the shepherd would be struck. He would come back for his sheep. Peter’s response here was immediate, although all shall be offended yet, will not.

42. 20:00

    I eagerness here can be commended. His commitment. Here is absolute. There is no doubt that his mind is made up that regardless of what happens around him, regardless of, if all the other disciples leave I would stick with his lord, and there is a real admirable quality. We can be quick to criticize Peters overconfidence here, but there’s a real admirable quality in what Peter says and one that we should emulate.

43. 20:23

    He says, they’ll all follow away regardless of who chooses and who chooses not to follow? Jesus, Peter is resolved. He would still follow and it raises a question for us. If everyone else left, would we stay? If our family chose to leave the truth, what do we still remain her? Friends left the truth.

44. 20:45

    Would we as well? What about our children? Our spouse. Our closest friends are if our commitment to God is first and that commitment should remain regardless of the decision of those around us. And so you see, Peters adherence to Jesus as an admirable quality and in Jesus responds to Peter note that Peters commitment isn’t criticized, Peter wasn’t Wrong for expressing his loyalty, nevertheless. Jesus gives Peter his third and final warning about what was going to happen.

45. 21:17

    But he was Peter still missed the warning that Jesus was given giving to him and as will now see Peters commitment of, never wanting to leave Jesus aside and even being willing to die for Jesus that commitment. Wasn’t even going to last another two hours because before the morning broke Not only would Peter show himself unwilling to die for Jesus, but he wasn’t even willing to admit that he ever met Jesus.

46. 21:40

    And then this failing that we’re about to read about Peter is a portrait of each one of us. We all face. James challenge, we all know the right standards. We know what we should be doing. We make a commitment and the martyrs of baptism and each new week as We Gather here to remember Jesus, but In the Heat of the Moment will often forget those commitments or reject them entirely Paul captures, the sentiment really well in Romans, chapter 7, right after the baptism chapter of Romans chapter 6, which details the commitment that we make to put the flesh to death in.

47. 22:11

    Romans chapter 7, Paul talks about how we still struggle with the flesh. Anyway, And doing the things that we know are against Christ that we don’t want to do. But yet there’s this law in our members that wages war and we do them anyway. Why do we understand the right thing to do on an intellectual basis?

48. 22:28

    And then so often forget to apply it. Peter said, though, all shall be offended yet. Not I and yet a few hours later he is swearing that he never knew Jesus. How do we not do the same thing? How do we not just make commitments? It starts their their commitment is good, but how do we take it beyond that level of It means make it stick and bring it to a level of action. We might know how we should behave in the particulars, but how do we control ourselves to make that a reality? It’s easy to pay lip service to the principles of courage and Purity and peace and tell you in a moment of danger Temptation or anger.

49. 23:05

    So let’s see. Now as we move to the denial of sequence, what we can learn from Peters experience with this though, we’ll follow the account through all four gospels. Please turn with Renee. Now over to John chapter 18, for the sake of time, we’ve already passed over the conversation about the two swords and now we’re going to pass over the agony in the garden. How Peter was specially asked to stay awake and then fell asleep. Three times again, we’ll have to pass by Jesus, arrest and Peter’s, lashing out and violence with the sword, though. That episodes going to come back to haunt him in the denial, sequence, this will bring us to the scene of the three denials to the house of the high priest, after his arrest him. Garden.

50. 23:47

    Jesus was taken into the City and to Anise the father-in-law to the high priest Caiaphas you’ll see over in John chapter 18, verse 15. It notes that Peter, followed Peter had momentarily fled in the garden with the others when they were dispersed, but he was back. Now, maybe thinking that he’s starting to make good on his promise, so far to never leave Jesus and follow him wherever he goes. But notice the parallel accounts I have up on the screen for Matthew Mark.

51. 24:13

    And Luke, they though. Peter is following Jesus, he’s following him afar off. Let’s now take a look at where these annexed next events took place. So I will know that there are two different ways of looking at the text here. The view I’m going to take, is that all three denials occurred? At the same location at the combined House of Anna’s and Caiaphas the other view is that these residents were in two separate locations that Peters first. And I’ll took place in the house of Anna’s in the last two denials have or the second or third denial happened. In a separate house belonging to Caiaphas the reason I take the first few that all three of these happened in the same location.

52. 24:54

    Is the archaeological record seems to support that I see in the 1970s, our brother lean, RIT my Iran, an archaeological architect, it’s oversaw the Reconstruction of What’s called the palatial Mansion, which is believed to be where Anna’s the high priest lived in. Though he was no longer the high priest himself during the time of Jesus, he was still among the most powerful man in the city in the layout.

53. 25:16

    Out of his home, gives away how much wealth and Prestige he would have commanded the footprint of this house was absolutely massive, some 6,500 square feet. It was about two stories high. The total square footage between the two stories would have been around 13,000 square feet, to put that in perspective, the average home in Israel around that time, based on kind of what we can piece together from the archaeological record was around 600 square feet, it would be to put it in perspective. Basically moving from something.

54. 25:48

    The size of a trailer to a 15 bedroom mansion the two key features of this palatial Mansion where Anna’s lived was a large Courtyard. That was open to the air and a large Meeting Hall, where their Sanhedrin could gather, the locate not only did the size of this building matter. And on a side note, this was, this has been the largest single structure we’ve uncovered in Jerusalem, But Not only was the size a matter of prestige, but its location was important.

55. 26:15

    It was only a short Short walk over there to the Temple Mount. So the priest could directly leave the house without going down to the Central Valley could walk right across to the temple. Complex the house contained, multiple baths for ritual washing it had different houses or different rooms for the priests a reception hall into which Jesus was brought in adjacent Courtyard where Peter would have stood warming himself by the fire and this would have not just been the home for anise but also for Caiaphas and it had it was big enough to host the entire sin. Read the fact that Peter followed Jesus and now that he gained entrance into the courtyard, was a testament to Peter’s loyalty.

56. 26:55

    And this was especially a bold move by Peter, considering he had just cut off the ear of one of the residents of that house. Malka see the high priests servant or representative about 30 minutes before this, this house is only about a mile or two from where Jesus was arrested in the garden.

57. 27:11

    Wouldn’t have taken that long to get there so that memory was still fresh in everyone’s mind. And in your booklet, if you want to follow along, you can see a Harmony of the denial sequence will look at on page number 14. Looks a little bit like this, so I’ll go through it. Briefly kind of the 15 touch points. We have between the four gospels and then we’ll dive into each of the denials in particular.

58. 27:35

    So after John gets access to the house, he allows he gets the made to allow Peter and as well. Peter then sits by the fire. And then we have the first two now, I know him not Peter after that, goes out to the porch, just outside the other Courtyard. And then after a little while, returns back to the fire, in the meantime, the maid is speaking to others and now that Peters back by the fire, we have the second denial, I do not know the man in a rooster crows.

59. 28:04

    The first time an hour passes, a relative of Malcolm joins, kind of changes the equation a little bit and a larger crowd begins to gather around the fire bystanders join and then we Of the third. To now with Peter cursing and swearing an oath. Now, I know not this man of whom you speak. A rooster crows again.

60. 28:25

    Jesus looks to the crowd at Peter and Peter remembers. So as we walk through these events, you can line them up with likely where they occurred in that, palatial mansion. And as we get to the end of this sequence, you’ll see why the location of these things brings another significant element to the account. So let’s now turn to our opening reading of Mark, chapter 14 and verse 66.

61. 28:49

    Mark includes this interesting little note that he was beneath in the Normally either beneath something or in something, you don’t often see that you’re both but it’s little details like that that helps with paint the picture and helps kind of give this reality to the text. The courtyard. Was in fact slightly recessed, it was a few steps down from the reception hall where the trial took place, but that courtyard was still in the palace. So yes, it was both beneath a few step down from the main area and still in the palace recessed by only a step or two. So the events in that main hall would still certainly be Audible and maybe even visible to those who stood with Out Matthew chapter 26 and verse 69, likewise notes that he sat without, but was still in the palace, meaning that he was inside the complex, but in an open area, such as a courtyard, modern translations, make it a little bit easier for us to piece This Together by just using the term Courtyard, Luke knows that he was by the fire.

62. 29:45

    This detail helps us Place. Actually, we’re in the courtyard, Peter was standing because you see when brother Ling Whitmire did some of these excavations, you could still see The Scorch marks on the tile of where fires were built in that in that courtyard to provide light and warmth. One of those fires was near the door of where the courtyard joined, that Great Hall, where Jesus would have been in from this location. Peter could not only here, but also possibly have that line of sight into what was happening inside the physical arrangement here is significant, and as you can see, from the layout with the courtyard was close enough to the main hall, that people could be aware of what was going in and out. Larger chamber where Jesus was, that’s why people were gathering their, thus, all the while Peter stood with out in the courtyard, he was close enough to hear what was going on. And so here is Peter by the fire and the servant girl of the high priest, the same girl who had let him in approaches him. Perhaps it’s a question that had been nagging her in her mind since she had opened the door to let him in. And now that Peter was by the fire. She could get a closer look at his face. Perhaps she had seen Peter in the around the temple area that week, they had been there.

63. 30:55

    For six days already. Jesus and his disciples were had been in the area quite a bit. There’s no reason to think at this point that her question, she asked here in verse 17 was entangled Mystic, for example. Look at the context. Look back, a few verses in John back to verse 16, the main knew that John was one of Jesus disciples and no harm had come to John. Look at the word.

64. 31:16

    Also in verse 17, was she not simply wondering if Peter also like John was one of these adventurers from the area of Galilee. But Peter wasn’t ready to be acknowledged. He was still in stealth mode, he had followed Jesus to the high priest home but had done so far off at a distance, not wanting to get too close to be noticed.

65. 31:38

    And now that he had gained entrance, he wanted to remain anonymous observing what was going on but this girl is questions, risk blowing his cover Peter had no doubt chosen chosen this spot by the fire strategically. So he could be aware of what was going on in the main room but he didn’t want to be the center of attention.

66. 31:55

    So, there we have Peters, first denial, as it’s recorded in John. I am not and that must have taken her back. Moving over to Luke, we read that. She looked upon Him intently rather than a question in Luke. She forms a statement. This man was also with him. She almost Whispers to himself Matthew and Mark also record that she said to him.

67. 32:16

    Thou was also with Jesus of Galilee or or and Mark Jesus of Nazareth, Peter. Now loud enough to be heard by others around the fire said, Ed, I do not know him. It says in Luke, I don’t know what you’re saying, it says in Matthew, I don’t understand what you’re saying. It says in Mark, and in this, we can see an image of house in Works. In each, one of us, it’s a progression, it’s Progressive, it starts with something, seemingly small, but there’s a slippery slope that starts to descend down in his first and I’ll peers statement was simple.

68. 32:48

    I have not, and it quickly grew into more forceful, absolute statements. As we see recorded in the parallel gospels, we’re going to see this. Chattering continue over the next few verses and we don’t have time now to consider it, but John in particular is starting to draw a number of parallels at this point between Peter and Judas from how he is standing with others by the fire to some of his own word choice used to describe Peter.

69. 33:12

    We see Peter starting down a similar dark path. Mark notes in verse 68 that he didn’t wait for another statement from the girl. He moved away out into the porch away from the Revealing Light of the fire. And Slipping away into the darkness. Almost as Judas went out into the darkness of the night after the last supper and as he did, the rooster crow echoed through the night. At this point, it’s likely around midnight. Jesus said before the cock Crow twice, you will deny me Thrice. And with that first rooster crow Peter was given a warning sign to turn back.

70. 33:46

    And so to it’s often with us as we head down the wrong road, there will be warning signs to indicate that we should take notice and turn back. At this point, Peter did not Peter’s now outside on the porch where things were just starting. While things were just starting to get underway in the Great Hall the Sanhedrin while Jesus or Peters out in the port is trying to do three things to seek testimony from Jesus to put him to death, John 18:19 records, the strategy of the Sanhedrin and questioning Jesus. First, they were questioning Jesus about his disciples, we’re not told specifically what questions were being asked, but could it be that that conversation happened in that Great Hall?

71. 34:25

    Is what sparked individuals in that courtyard to ask Peter. They overheard that the Great Hall are asking Jesus about his disciples, the people in the courtyard. Listen, and hear that conversation. Look at Peter’s, like, wait a second, aren’t you one of them second over in John, chapter 18, verse 19. They are asking Jesus about his teaching, they had, many false Witnesses come forward. And give testimony about his teaching that either Twisted, the words of Jesus or misrepresented them and evidence to find evidence in an effort to find evidence of blasphemy. The third over in Matthew in marks account, we see that they were also trying to get Jesus to identify himself as Christ, the son of God, a confession that Peter himself and the other disciples had made earlier, but he was not now willing to repeat in the presence of those Witnesses. But Peter now being out on the porch, it was missing all of this.

72. 35:16

    Peter wanted to go back down to the fire. So he wasn’t going to miss anymore. It’s at this point that there is a difference in interpretations of how to read this. One view. Is that the scene shifted to a know, a new home over to Caiaphas the high priest where the final two denials would have taken place. The other view is the one I’ll continue with here that the palatial Mansion was, the residence of both individuals. And as and Caiaphas and that the narrative continues in this one location.

73. 35:43

    And so, like, a moth drawn back to the flame. Peter moves back down from the porch and side to the Courtyard around that fire where he had previously warmed himself. But while Jesus Is trial, was taking place in Side, the Great Hall Peters trial would continue as well. Matthew chapter 26, and verse 71 notes that the questions about Peter didn’t stop when he removed himself from the fire out to the porch. Another made caught a glimpse of him out there in commented to the others at the fire.

74. 36:11

    This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth, Mark. Chapter 14 verse 69 picks up now, the door girl, who asked the first question reasserts her statement, this is one of them. Thus, when Peter returns and stands around the fire of Holes and John 18 verse 18, the others around the fire. Ask the question, based on the maids assertions art thou not one of his disciples, Peter responds.

75. 36:35

    I am not. He had a second chance with the exact same question. That the door girl had asked previously, and he makes the exact same mistake. And again, just like before Peter’s fast, dismissal raises the suspicions of the others. And Luke chapter 22 and verse 58. Another Leans forward and makes a statement just like the goal of the, the door girl did originally, Thou Art. Also one of them Peter’s reply as harsh, man, I am not Peter now goes further than he did before in Matthew chapter 26. Verse 72 he confirmed his denial with an oath. I do not know the man.

76. 37:12

    Mark implies in verse 70 that there was much more to this statement as well that we’re not that’s not recorded here verse 7. He could read that Peter denied it again and again and again the word there’s Continuous sense, only hours before he had proclaimed, his undying loyalty to Jesus and now it was not even willing to be remotely associated with his Lord. And the question for us is, can we sometimes be the same each Sunday morning?

77. 37:40

    Each start of each new week? We come here to associate ourselves with Jesus to identify ourselves with Jesus and his resurrection. We look at his examples and make a commitment to have the same level of faith. We make a commitment to take up our cross and to Follow him. But do we then turn around the next day in live, in such a way that shows we are ashamed of being associated with Jesus.

78. 38:03

    There’s social pressure in the way we appear before others cause us to shrink away from that. Commitment to Christ, Peter’s statements seem to have shocked those around him. Luke notes that there was about an hour gap between the second and third denials. We see that over in Luke chapter 22, verse 59, during which the trial of Jesus continuing on in Peters now in a position to hear what’s happening. That must have been what kept Peter there and perhaps how Peter Justified his denials to himself. I’m just saying this little making these statements. So I continued, I can continue to be near my Lord at least physically, and that brings us to the third denial. At this point, you get a sense that Peters confidence might have been growing.

79. 38:44

    He is there by the fire for about an hour now, with no more mishaps. I mean, yes, he denied knowing Jesus, but at least he is physically in proximity to Jesus in the next Hall over, and yes, Had lied twice about his associations but he wasn’t going to do it anymore and at least he wasn’t in the shadows anymore, back in the dark on the porch and then the tables shift, someone new comes into the scene in the anti, goes up over in John chapter 18, verse 26.

80. 39:10

    We read one of the Servants of the high priest being Kinsman. Being his Kinsmen, whose ear. Peter cut off. Saith, did not. I see the in the garden with him. No doubt. This man also explained exactly what Peter might have. And in that Garden what he did to Marcus and how Peter was the man that lunged forward and chopped off his ear, even though Peter had boasted that, he would be willing to go to prison and to death for Jesus. When faced with a real prospect, that that supporting Jesus at this moment.

81. 39:40

    May elicit some Vengeance. Peter does not go through with his previously proclaimed loyalty. This was the spark that ignited, the flame of Peters fear after the statement by malkos relatives others started to join in. And Matthew we read they that stood by said to Peter. Surely Thou Art one of them for thy speech betrayeth thee. It was a Galilean dialect.

82. 40:03

    That was the giveaway notes Mark and Luke. They are insistent of a truth. This man was also with them for he is a Galilean sin as we said before is Progressive what? Often starts out. Small grows and we see the same here with Peters denial. His reaction here is Extreme in Matthew 2674. It says Peter began to curse.

83. 40:24

    To swear in such a way designed to completely disassociate himself with the Lord. The idea of a curse in this context isn’t what we think of today as a profane words, but more. So it’s proclaiming that. If I lie in this thing may this horrible outcome come upon me such as let me be cut off from the land of the living.

84. 40:42

    If I lie and telling you this, I don’t know the man and as Peter swore that he didn’t know Jesus, the air was rent by that second, rooster crow, Luke notes that the rooster called while He was yet speaking catching him in his speech, if you happen to have a Dye go out on you, it suggests that the cock crowing in this instance wasn’t actually a literal rooster.

85. 41:03

    But instead, it was the the trumpet sounding of the changing of the Roman guard. The last two shifts were apparently called the cock crows. This sequence does seem to line up with the timings given to us and Luke and Mark, and would give us a sense of a timeline of the first denial around. Midnight the just before the Third Watch, started, the third denial.

86. 41:21

    Then would have happened at the end of the Third Watch. Which would have been around 3:00 a.m. and the second denial, somewhere in between the two, the rooster or the trumpet. Whichever one, it was pierce the night and that is what stopped Peters mouth. And something else happened that moment as well. Luke records, what happened at that same moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter, it’s that same word for look, that was used back in John chapter 1, verse 42, during their first meeting together based on the context. It means not just just the physical act of looking, but a deep penetrating.

87. 41:57

    Look to perceive what’s really going on the physical location again. Here is significant, the amazing thing about the palatial Mansion uncovered in Jerusalem. Is there is a line of sight between where Peter was standing in the courtyard, based on The Scorch marks on the earth and where Jesus would have stand stood in that, Great Hall there.

88. 42:15

    Jesus physically, looks at Peter with that, penetrating gaze one. That was also full of love and hope even as he looked upon him. Some three and a half years earlier by the Jordan River that encourages Peter to finally look at himself and he remembers Jesus face would have been battered at this point as it says, oh, when Isaiah chapter 50 2 and verse 14, Peter would have realized that. He was also fulfilling a prophecy of his own that he was being one of Jesus’s, close neighbors that was rejecting him, Psalm 31 verse 11, Peter remembers Jesus is warning now but it’s too late, but in the future he would continually call this lesson to mind throughout his Epistles. One of the major themes that we see Peter returned to is that of remembrance Peter may have remembered the words of Jesus over in Luke chapter 12 verse 8, and 9, I say unto you whosoever shall confess me before men shall the son of man. Also confessed before the angels of God. But he that denieth me before, men shall also be denied before the angels of God.

89. 43:22

    The scene here ends, rather Darkly Peter Runs Out weeping bitterly. It says, or more literally weeping violently. He stumbles through the streets of Jerusalem as he runs until he comes to the place where Jesus was crucified. We see that note over enough first Peter. 5:1, it seems he no longer considers himself worthy of even being called a disciple. As he completely followed, not only to now because he completely failed, not only to follow Jesus, but even to acknowledge Him at this point in the narrative, if the gospel record stopped.

90. 43:52

    There wouldn’t be much difference between Peter and Judas both enemies. Stood with the enemies are both men. Stood with the enemies of Jesus, both denied their lord in word or In Deed. Both failed to follow him. When it mattered the most both went out into the darkness and finally became convicted of the gravity of their sins and fled But there’s a difference.

91. 44:20

    The different seems to be in that Peter knew that in spite of his sin, the Lord was full of love and mercy. Well, Judas despaired and took his own life, Peter held onto, hope, Judas, figured that he betrayed the Lord denying him, indeed, and Inward. And surely this would mean that there was no hope that. As it says in Luke 12 verse 9, that he would be denied before the angels of God.

92. 44:44

    But Peter may have remembered the next thing that Jesus said, and one of Peter’s most redeeming qualities as he held on to the word of the Lord. Judas may have stopped at that, that quote from Jesus denied before the angels of God. But in Luke 12 verse 10, Jesus, continued and said, whosoever shall speak a word against the. Son, of man shall shall be forgiven him. Peter ever.

93. 45:09

    Remembering the word of the Lord remembered that, his Lord was merciful the difference between Peter and Judas wasn’t the degree of their sin. As much as it was their degree of belief in the mercy of the Lord and that belief would not be disappointed after three days. Jesus had these gracious words for Peter, when he appeared to the women returning from the tomb, go tell my disciples.

94. 45:34

    And Peter also, the disciple who had wandered the farthest away was called the loudest to come back. There were still yet a role for Peter and God’s plan. So what can we learn from this? Where did Peter go wrong? Well, first, he overestimated himself, he didn’t recognize his own weakness, you didn’t heed the warning that Jesus gave him, and there’s a warning there for us as well.

95. 45:56

    We need to be careful, not to overestimate ourselves and we are weekly given a tool to remember that as we will soon. Remember in the memorials, one of the, easiest ways to overestimate ourselves is to compare ourselves to others and we’re called each week, not to examine ourselves against our Brethren. But against the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, Her learned that lesson.

96. 46:19

    And as we’ve seen in our studies this weekend, he became an amazing example of humility going forward, and he spoke of the need to Humble ourselves and be clothed in humility, so that God Can Lift us up. Peter also failed to remove himself from Temptations path or heed the warning signs that were along the way unlike Jesus. Who said, get thee behind me.

97. 46:38

    Satan back in Matthew 16 and move, so that Satan was physically behind him. Peter lingered, and lingered and lingered some more around the coals of the fire until he was grown. Julie worn down. There’s a lesson for that in us as well to heed the call of the rooster and remove ourselves from Temptations pass.

98. 46:56

    But there’s also a lesson here of mercy and of Grace and of Hope a lesson that no matter how much we have failed, how far we have fallen, we have a Lord that is looking for us to come back. That is reaching out and calling us the loudest. When we are the furthest away to come out of the darkness and into that Marvelous Light, we have a Lord that is gracious.

99. 47:16

    Full of tender Mercy And though, we may reject him will call us back to come and follow him all the same.