THE LORD LOOKED STRAIGHT AT PETER

Passage: Luke 22:54-62

Key verse: 61a

NIV

Peter Disowns Jesus(A)

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest.(B) Peter followed at a distance.(C) 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.”(D)

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord(E) 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.”(F) 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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ESV

Peter Denies Jesus

54 (A)Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, (B)and Peter was following at a distance. 55 (C)And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of (D)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 (E)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 (F)looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, (G)“Before the rooster crows today, you will (H)deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Peter followed at a distance (54-60)

Jesus prayed in the Garden and made a decision. Peter was not prepared for Jesus' arrest because he had slept instead of praying. When it happened, Peter didn't know what to do. He loved Jesus, but he loved his own life more. He had made no decision to live and die for Jesus' sake and the gospel's. He followed at a distance, then he sat down among the enemies of Jesus. When a servant girl recognized him, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. After the first denial, the next two came easily.

2. The Lord's straight look (61-62)

Jesus had told Peter that before the rooster crowed he would deny him three times (34). The rooster crowed, and the Lord looked straight at Peter. It was a look of love that reminded Peter of Jesus' words. It was a look that broke Peter's heart.

Prayer: Lord, help me to accept and remember your word each day; help me to pray until a decision to do your will is in my heart. When I fail, help me to repent.

One Word: Follow Jesus with a decision