Your study notes this week were authored by Will Buschmann, Director of Student Ministries.
Welcome to Week 4 of the Life of Peter and most likely the best known story about Peter. This week we will walk with Peter in the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and see the intimate moments he has with his friend and Lord. The complexities of what makes Peter who he is will be on full display.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
The Foretelling
Observe
Jesus on the night of his betrayal and arrest seeks out an intimate moment with Peter, a moment that is laced with encouragement, warning, and a somber prophecy.
{Luke 22:31-34 ESV}
{31} “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, {32} but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” {33} Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” {34} Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
{Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV}
{Romans 8:31-39 ESV}
Jesus starts with “Simon, Simon” a repetition that gives solemnity and emphasis to what he will intimately and personally say to Peter. Jesus foretells what Peter is about to do after his arrest. Peter will in the following hours deny Jesus. Peter can’t believe it. Peter is ready to follow Jesus to prison or death, yet Jesus’ words will be fulfilled in the coming hours. We learn a lot from this short passage and receive great encouragement even with the somber prophecy.
- Satan wants to trouble believers on this earth. The “you” in verse 32 is plural, it’s about all the disciples. Satan wishes to cause them harm. That’s Satan’s goal to everyone who calls on Jesus as Savior.
- Satan has no power to act outside of the area God allows him. Jesus has to give permission. Hence, Jesus’ power and authority is greater than that of Satan.
- Jesus prays for his children. He was praying for Peter and he continues, even right now, to be our High Priest on the throne in Heaven interceding on our behalf. He is praying that our faith will not fail in this life. We can have no greater encouragement on this earth!
- Jesus leads with the purpose of Peter’s trial (his denials) before he tells him that he will do it. Peter will go through this trial, so that in the future he can strengthen his brothers. There’s purpose in all of this. There’s purpose in trials.
- What encouragement can you take today from the truth that Jesus right now is interceding on your behalf? That even with everything going on in your life right now that Jesus, the Son of God, is praying for you.
- How can you use your trials in this life to strengthen the faith of those around you? How have you done this in the past?
Jesus,
Oh, how beautiful this is! I praise you that right now you are interceding on my behalf. Your care and concern for me as your child astounds me. You will not let me go even in the midst of all of my failures. Forgive me for my arrogance. Forgive me for all of the days where I try to do this life without you, thinking that I know better. Lord, remind me of this in the midst of my trials. Remind me that there is a purpose to the sufferings of this life. Remind me that you are building me through all of this. Teach my heart to cling to you and you alone, for that is where my hope and security lie.
Amen
Day 2
Through Sacrifice, not the Sword
Observe
Jesus is betrayed by Judas in the garden and Peter responds with love and fervor for Jesus in the only way that he sees fit in the intensity of the moment.
{Luke 22:47-53 ESV}
{47} While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, {48} but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” {49} And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” {50} And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. {51} But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. {52} Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? {53} When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
{John 18:1-11 ESV}
{1} When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. {2} Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. {3} So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. {4} Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” {5} They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. {6} When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. {7} So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” {8} Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” {9} This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” {10} Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) {11} So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Peter seems to be acting valiantly here. No one can doubt Peter’s passion and love for Jesus at this moment. He can’t help, but grab his sword. Jesus makes it clear that is not what he wants though. What is Jesus doing in this passage? He is again making it clear to his disciples that his kingdom here on this earth is different from what they have ever seen before. It’s not one that is brought via the sword like the other kingdoms of this world. It is one that is characterized by sacrifice and trust in Jesus. Peter is trying to bring the kingdom of God through his physical effort right now, when in reality Jesus is asking Peter to trust him and his sacrifice.
- Why do you think Jesus chose sacrifice over a fight? Why do you think Jesus has chosen to create his kingdom here on this earth to be characterized by sacrifice and trust? Why is this such a difficult and crazy concept in our minds?
- Has there ever been a time in your life where you were trying to bring the kingdom of God to this earth through your own effort and physical work? How did that work out? Where’s the balance between our physical effort and our trust in what Jesus is doing behind the scenes often times?
Jesus,
In some ways I hope to be like Peter in this passage. To have my love and passion for you burn so intensely that I don’t want to let you go. That I don’t want anyone to take you away from me. In some ways though I fear I am all too often like Peter. Trying to force your kingdom to come on this earth through my physical effort and sacrifice. Lord, give me wisdom to know when to fight and when to trust. Forgive me for all the times I seem to mess it all up.
Amen
Day 3
The Denials Day One
Observe
What Jesus foretold will come to pass. Before the rooster crows Peter will deny knowing Jesus three times. It is easy to divert attention away from ourselves and make Peter a punching bag as we read this story. As you read though try to imagine living this scene. The man you have sacrificed your life for is now in the hands of people who want to kill him. The fear of the unknown of what lies ahead would be overwhelming. Where is Peter though? He’s continuing to follow Jesus (literally) through all of this.
{Luke 22:54-62 ESV}
{54} Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. {55} And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. {56} Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” {57} But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” {58} And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” {59} And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” {60} But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. {61} And 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.” {62} And he went out and wept bitterly.
{John 18:15-18, 25-27 ESV}
{15} Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, {16} but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. {17} The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” {18} Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. … {25} Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” {26} One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” {27} Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
{Mark 14:66-72 ESV}
{66} And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, {67} and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” {68} But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. {69} And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” {70} But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” {71} But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” {72} And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
{Matthew 26:69-75 ESV}
{69} Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” {70} But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” {71} And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” {72} And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” {73} After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” {74} Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. {75} And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter follows Jesus and does exactly what he never wanted to do. He denies Jesus, just like Jesus said he would. Peter fails. Peter is a human being who makes mistakes, who is covered by his sin. There is only one hero in Scripture and that’s Jesus. Peter is just like you and I. We confidently proclaim and believe one minute and the next minute we are afraid of a little girl’s opinion about us so we deny, hide, and lie. We don’t do it in the courtyard, but we do it at the office, at the dinner, really wherever we care more about people’s opinions of us over that of Jesus’. It’s not a Peter thing, it’s a me thing as well.
- Where do you try to hide your faith in Jesus due to the opinion of the people around you?
- What makes it difficult to be honest about what you believe in certain situations?
Jesus,
I see myself clearly in Peter. I confess I oftentimes hide and deny my faith in you to those around me. I allow fear and doubt to enter in. I either actively lie or I try my best to not let people know about my faith. Forgive me for all the times that I deny you just like Peter did in the courtyard. Forgive me for my desire to be approved of by everyone else over you. Give me courage and faith to proudly proclaim my love for you wherever I am.
Amen
Day 4
The Denials Day 2
Observe
We read the denials scene for the second day in a row. This time as you read, focus on Peter’s reaction when he realizes what has happened.
{Luke 22:54-62 ESV}
{54} Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. {55} And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. {56} Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” {57} But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” {58} And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” {59} And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” {60} But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. {61} And 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.” {62} And he went out and wept bitterly.
{John 18:15-18, 25-27 ESV}
{15} Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, {16} but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. {17} The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” {18} Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. … {25} Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” {26} One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” {27} Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
{Mark 14:66-72 ESV}
{66} And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, {67} and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” {68} But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. {69} And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” {70} But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” {71} But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” {72} And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
{Matthew 26:69-75 ESV}
{69} Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” {70} But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” {71} And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” {72} And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” {73} After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” {74} Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. {75} And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter, remembering what Jesus had said and seeing what he had done, went out and wept bitterly. Peter saw himself, he saw his sin, and his only response was to weep. He doesn’t excuse himself, he doesn’t blame-shift, he honestly and brokenly weeps over his sin. Peter is a model of humility here. He’s showing us what it looks like to be human and sin, but he is also showing us how to respond when we do.
- What caused Peter to respond like this?
- When was the last time you wept over a sin in your life?
Jesus,
Give me a heart like Peter. A heart that fails, but a heart that mourns my failure. I often find that my heart and my conscience are worn down by my continual sin. I find myself being able to sin and with no emotion at all. Give me your spirit just like that which was living in Peter. A spirit that sees sin and weeps at what it did to you on the cross. Jesus, let me not see my sin as cheap, but give me the eyes and the reminder that you paid dearly for it. Help me to mourn and weep over my sin.
Amen
Day 5
Our Only Hope
Observe
The Life of Peter is so intriguing, because it is so easy to see ourselves in him. His confidence and his faith at one moment is the picture of doubt and fear in another moment. He has high highs and low lows. He looks a lot like you and me. Peter can’t save himself and neither can we. Our only hope is in a Savior who was crucified.
{Luke 23:26-49 ESV}
{26} And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. {27} And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. {28} But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. {29} For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ {30} Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ {31} For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
{32} Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. {33} And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. {34} And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. {35} And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” {36} The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine {37} and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” {38} There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
{39} One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” {40} But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? {41} And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” {42} And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” {43} And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
{44} It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, {45} while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. {46} Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. {47} Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” {48} And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. {49} And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
Jesus didn’t die for us because we were good. He didn’t wait till we could clean ourselves up enough to be loved. No, while we were still enemies of God Christ died for us. He is the perfect Son of God who willingly went to a cross for our sins, because we needed someone to step in on our behalf. He’s our only hope in this life and the next.
- Where do you find yourself trying to earn your salvation?
- Take some time to thank Jesus today for what he has done for you and then rest in the fact that “It is finished.” You don’t need to strive or perform today, all you need to do is trust in Jesus and what he did for you.
Jesus,
I’m overwhelmed at your sacrifice on my behalf. I don’t grasp it fully, because of the magnitude of what it means for me. Lord, forgive me for trying to put myself back on the cross that you have already taken for me. Forgive me for my trying to perform and fake perfection in order to feel like I am able to be loved. Give me your spirit to trust in your death and resurrection as my only hope. I thank you and praise you for taking what I deserved. Now give me rest in it.
Amen