No where do I see Jesus giving Peter the “I told you so” words of guilt. He just loves him. Maybe that’s why Peter is the only disciple who ran from the scene of capture but could NOT stay away from the trial of Jesus. Full of fear for Jesus, himself and all the others, he stayed near, out of love for his Master. Let us not be the ones who say to Peter, I told you so, either. We probably would have done the same…or worse.

Condemned to Death
53-54 They led Jesus to the Chief Priest, where the high priests, religious leaders, and scholars had gathered together. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest’s courtyard, where he mingled with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

55-59 The high priests conspiring with the Jewish Council looked high and low for evidence against Jesus by which they could sentence him to death. They found nothing. Plenty of people were willing to bring in false charges, but nothing added up, and they ended up canceling each other out. Then a few of them stood up and lied: “We heard him say, ‘I am going to tear down this Temple, built by hard labor, and in three days build another without lifting a hand.’” But even they couldn’t agree exactly.

60-61 In the middle of this, the Chief Priest stood up and asked Jesus, “What do you have to say to the accusation?” Jesus was silent. He said nothing.

The Chief Priest tried again, this time asking, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?”

62 Jesus said, “Yes, I am, and you’ll see it yourself:

The Son of Man seated
At the right hand of the Mighty One,
Arriving on the clouds of heaven.”
63-64 The Chief Priest lost his temper. Ripping his clothes, he yelled, “Did you hear that? After that do we need witnesses? You heard the blasphemy. Are you going to stand for it?”

They condemned him, one and all. The sentence: death.

65 Some of them started spitting at him. They blindfolded his eyes, then hit him, saying, “Who hit you? Prophesy!” The guards, punching and slapping, took him away.

The Rooster Crowed
66-67 While all this was going on, Peter was down in the courtyard. One of the Chief Priest’s servant girls came in and, seeing Peter warming himself there, looked hard at him and said, “You were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”

68 He denied it: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He went out on the porch. A rooster crowed.

69-70 The girl spotted him and began telling the people standing around, “He’s one of them.” He denied it again.

After a little while, the bystanders brought it up again. “You’ve got to be one of them. You’ve got ‘Galilean’ written all over you.”

71-72 Now Peter got really nervous and swore, “I never laid eyes on this man you’re talking about.” Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows twice, you’ll deny me three times.” He collapsed in tears.

Peter does not need more guilt heaped upon his destroyed soul, he need restoration. Jesus Christ gives him EXACTLY what Peter needs…in time. HIS time.

That is the lesson that jumps out at me today as we read this passage. Jesus testifies that He is the I AM while Peter looks on. The other disciples cut and ran from the scene. Peter ran but could not stay away. He came closer and closer. Mm. Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He knows our hearts, too. Jesus restores. He makes all things new.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Word that gives us new thoughts about Your greatness. We love you with all our hearts, minds and souls. We are coming closer and closer to You every day. Thank you for going through all the suffering to heal and restore us from our sin. Go with us this day. Help us to tell your story in ways others will know you more, too.
In Jesus Name, Amen