Bible Talk with Sister Deb: From Denial to Redemption—Peter's Journey of Faith and Restoration

How could one of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter, deny Him not once, but three times? Join us as we uncover the profound reasons behind Peter's denial during Jesus' arrest, delving into the human emotions of fear and overconfidence that led to this significant moment. We explore how each Gospel uniquely portrays these events, offering insights into Peter's impulsive nature and the powerful lesson of the rooster's crow that led to his moment of realization and deep repentance.

In this episode, we journey through Peter's path from denial to his ultimate redemption, understanding how his remorse and restoration reveal the boundless mercy and grace of Jesus. As we reflect on Peter's transformation into a cornerstone of early Christianity, we draw parallels to our own lives, emphasizing that failure is not the end but an opportunity for redemption through divine grace. Through prayer and support, we invite you to embrace the hope and forgiveness that Jesus offers, encouraging you to trust in His unwavering love and redemption every day.

Chapters

• 0:08 Peter's Denial of Jesus
• 7:55 Peter's Denial and Redemption
• 20:36 Peter's Restoration and Redemption

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:08

Welcome. You're listening to Bible Talk with Sister Deb Osborne. You can listen to the show on WUIC 88.1 Christian Radio Station every Sunday at 5 pm. You can also hear the show and much, much more on the 421 show. You can listen on streaming and all your major platforms google, apple and spotify. For your contact information, you can email sister deb at osborne, never k at gmailcom and if you'd like to support the show, you can support it through paypal slash hor 421 or you can go to the website at hor421showbuzzsproutcom. All shows are recorded live, no post editing, recorded at the 421 studio. For contact information for all your studio needs, you can email at hor421ministries at gmailcom. Phone number is 239-849-1502. Now we give you your host, sister Deb.

Speaker 2: 1:07

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Welcome to this version of Bible Talk. I'm going to start in Matthew 26, 31 through 35. This, of course you may know, is the story of Peter's denials of Jesus and it is all in all four Gospels. I'm trying to get a little bit out of each Gospel in here. I don't know if I actually did, but just thank you for being here and I hope you enjoy. So Matthew 26, 31 through 35. And the Bible says Then saith Jesus unto them all. Unto them all, ye shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of Verse 2. Never be offended. Jesus said unto him. Verily, I say unto thee that this night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. So we know the story of Peter, like I said, is found in all four Gospels. Each one of them, of course, gives a different version. They're all very, very awesome. I really hope you go and read those guys.

Speaker 2: 2:31

Anyway, my question is why would a chief leader of the disciples deny knowing Jesus? I don't understand that, but my guess would be fear. The Bible tells us that Jesus had a last supper with his disciples and he told them you know you guys are going to be offended because of me tonight. And he told them you know, it is written I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall scatter. But the one remarkable thing that I love about this part is he says after I'm risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. About this part is he says after I'm risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Now, isn't that just like our Jesus friends we're already thinking about beyond the cross, isn't that awesome? And his eyes were set on the joy set before him is what Hebrews 12 and 2 says. But Peter said you know, though all men would be offended because of thee, I will never be offended. And Jesus told him you know, this night you're going to, before the cock crow, you will deny me three times. But Peter pledged his loyalty. And he tells Jesus even though I may die with you, I'll never deny you. But see Peter here. He must have felt pretty brave at this moment. But the thing about it is is Peter did not think beyond this moment. And you know Jesus knew Peter would fail. Peter thought that his strong areas were courage and boldness.

Speaker 2: 3:55

But through this warning, you know, jesus gave Peter an opportunity to take heed. You know Jesus said to him very clearly you know, peter, you will stumble and you will fall. You will forsake me this very night before the rooster crows, you will deny that you even know me, and you'll not only do it once, but you know what, peter, you're going to do it three times. I mean man, he should consider himself warned. But you see, jesus knew Peter a little bit better than Peter knew Peter. And Peter clearly overrated himself because he was going to fall, and the rest of the disciples, of course, overrated themselves too, I believe. But see, jesus was on trial for his life. The Jewish leaders had put him on trial, they wanted him dead and they weren't going to stop at nothing. So, peter, we know Jesus was going into the Garden of Gethsemane and he took some of the disciples with him. Of course, he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee just a little bit further and he tells Peter you know Peter, they end up falling asleep on Jesus. All he asked them to do was pray. And Jesus tells Peter you know you need to stay awake and pray because, although your spirit is willing, your flesh is weak. But Peter fell asleep again and Jesus prayed that night in the garden three times and Peter and the others slept through every bit of it.

Speaker 2: 5:17

So then we go on into the chapter and we see that Judas shows up, of course, with a great multitude and the swords and the staves, and you know, and of course he comes over and he kisses the Lord, and they know, you know that this is when he's getting arrested. But we see in Matthew 26, 51, that one of the disciples, one of the men that was with Jesus, drew a sword and struck a servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Well, we all know who that was. That was Peter. Of course, I've been calling him impulsive Peter, but he jumps without thinking. He makes all these harsh decisions without thinking about the circumstances. Now, according to Luke's version Luke 22 and 47, jesus healed that ear. So, like I said, really go and look at these different versions because you're going to learn things in other versions that you didn't in the first version that you read.

Speaker 2: 6:11

So after that, you know there's, of course, all this is going on and the Bible takes us over to the palace of the high priest, caiaphas, and all the scribes and the elders are assembled and the Bible tells us that Peter followed him afar off into the high priest's palace and went in and sat with the servants to see the end. To see the end, that's what Peter wanted to see. So Peter kind of laid low and kept his distance. Now I guess I would wonder why he even followed. I mean, I wonder if would wonder why he even followed. I mean I wonder if Peter wondered what would happen to him and the others. You know, was he in his own little way trying to look out for Jesus? But my main thing is why would Peter go to the high priest's house and see it, in the garden, in the courtyard, with all these guys, these soldiers? Because you know, in reality Peter was already guilty of attempted murder. I mean, he cut a man's ear off. You know, john 18, john's version tells us that that man was named Malchus and people, this is the last place that you would have thought he would have been right now, right in the lion's den. But I'm just curious why he would go there, you know. But the thing about it is, see they weren't really paying that much attention to Peter because they had bigger fish to fry, you know. But you know, there's no question at all, that fear gripped Peter Because I'm telling you from the courtyard, he watched as Jesus was falsely accused, he was beat, he was spit on, he was insulted. You know, peter watched all of that, you know.

Speaker 2: 7:55

And Peter's denials, his actual denials, is in Matthew 26, 69. It starts at verse 69. And it said 69. It starts at verse 69. And it said Now Peter sat without in the palace and a damsel came unto him saying Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth, of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone unto the porch, another maid saw him and said unto him that were there, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath. He said I do not know the man.

Speaker 2: 8:29

And number 73 says and after a while they came unto him and stood by and they said to Peter Surely thou art one of them, for thy speech, bewaith thee, I mean. Then of course he cursed and he sweared saying hey, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crowed. You see, the thing about it was, they said they knew he was a Galilean because of the speech. I guess evidently Galileans had a different kind of speech back then. But you know, if you go to Luke 22 and 61, it says and the Lord turned and looked at Peter and Peter remembered the word of the Lord and you know, he went out and he wept bitterly. He knew immediately that he had failed. Now Matthew's version has Peter denying him with the oath and a cursing, but the rest of the versions don't. But all four versions does have one thing in common and that is the sound of a rooster brings a shock to Peter Of the things that Jesus had said.

Speaker 2: 9:30

You know, peter, who had just not too far below, only hours before, had pledged his unending loyalty to Jesus Only hours before, and he failed miserably. You know, did Peter's heart break when Jesus looked at him? And not with the I told you so look, but with the look of love and forgiveness. It would have broke my heart. I know that. And why did Peter fail? I mean, perhaps maybe he found that he wasn't nearly as bold or courageous as he proclaimed. Maybe Peter felt that he was not prepared for the persecution that Jesus was suffering and in fear, peter denied the one who loved him. I mean, peter went out and he wept. He wept bitterly, he had remorse, he was defeated.

Speaker 2: 10:20

This was the very moment that reality hit Peter in the face. Now, friends, if we think about it, we could really take some shots at Peter. We really could. But the reality of us is we all have had those times, these trials, in our lives. We've all had those times when our sin is revealed to us, or when we fail to obey, or even when we cave under pressure. We've all had those times in our lives. But see, the thing about it is is I call him impulsive Peter.

Speaker 2: 10:53

This this was not the first time that Peter actually blew it. You know, the first time he was, he was, but he blew it by taking his eyes off Jesus when he was sinking into the water. I mean only two people in the whole world ever to walk on water, and one was the Son of God and the other one blew it big time. You know, I mean, yes, peter denied Jesus, but he may not have intended to, but he did. Now, the rest of the disciples, you know, they didn't face the situation either. They all ran Jesus' road club that was supposed to have had his back, that was supposed to have been there. We got you back, jesus. They ran man, you know. I mean. So, really, how can we down Peter, you know? But the thing about it is, jesus had a plan, you know.

Speaker 2: 11:39

The one thing we can learn from Peter in this scenario is there is a possibility that Christian followers can deny Christ. You know, friends, no believer is immune from that possibility. Some of the greatest men in the Bible failed Christ, some of the greatest ones. Now, friends, if the story had ended there, we would only be able to speculate Peter's future. But it doesn't end there, you know.

Speaker 2: 12:11

But you really have to ask yourself what should happen to the man who denied the Lord. Jesus said it himself in Matthew 33. He said but whosoever shall deny me before men, he will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven. You see, peter's fate doesn't look pretty good right now, at this point. You know what I'm saying, but nor does any of the fate of anyone who denies our Lord. And I don't know anyone that has ever denied the Lord to the extent that Peter did by his cussing and his swearing.

Speaker 2: 12:48

I know that there are those who have professed to be Christians to deny the Lord in less extreme ways because their fear of men and what men would do to them. You know that denial could be just a failure to stand up and be counted as a Christian because of fear of being shunned, or being shunned by the crowd or being laughed at or talked about. But you know, I do think it's really safe to say that all of us have, in one way or another, failed to proclaim the Lord when we should have. We've all done that. Do I think we denied Him? I believe that that's my belief. I believe we did and we really better be thankful for his mercy, because there would be no hope for any of us if it weren't for his mercy and his grace. And I thank God every day for that grace and mercy. Every day it starts over, because every day we fail him in some form or fashion, in some way. We do something, we say something, we think something, and I thank God for that grace and mercy. And he gives us that chance to straighten it up and to redo it.

Speaker 2: 13:57

So we go on down through here in the Bible and it tells us that Peter left the courtyard weeping bitterly. He had denied the Lord, he had failed the Lord, he'd been proven weak. Denied the Lord, he'd failed the Lord. He'd been proven weak and his world had crashed down around him. Now, scripture doesn't tell us what Peter did the rest of that night. We can only guess. I know what I'd be doing. I'd be somewhere on my knees talking to my Lord.

Speaker 2: 14:26

So I wonder why Jesus had let Peter fail so miserably and deny his Lord three times that night. You see, jesus had told Peter, you know, jesus could have really protected Peter, he could have protected him from all that. But see, there was a higher goal. Jesus had told Peter earlier, in Luke 22,. He had told Peter that Satan already asked for permission to sift you like wheat, you know. But Jesus was equipping Peter. Jesus, he had a different plan for Peter. You know, he had a higher goal and he was equipping Peter. Luke 22, 36 says 32, he said that. He told Peter once you get converted, strengthen your brethren, you know. So you know, did Peter get a bad rap? I mean what you know? Do we think he got a bad rap? I mean he's? I think so sometimes, but anyway, but the thing about it was is, you see, while there wasn't one trial that night. Jesus wasn't the only trial that night, if you think about it.

Speaker 2: 15:30

When Jesus was on trial in the palace, peter was on trial in the courtyard. They were watching him every move he made, because they knew. They knew they'd seen him. You know one of the guys. One of the versions says weren't you not also with this man? I saw you in the garden. So you'd see, one of the soldiers had seen him in the garden. He had three ample opportunities to step up to the plate and speak up, to speak up for his Lord, and he didn't.

Speaker 2: 16:01

We have to move on a little bit down the way and then it tells us that, and this is after the resurrection, this is after the crucifixion and after the resurrection, actually the morning after, uh, you know, um, we see Mary Magdalene, mary the mother of James, and a few others. The Bible mentions all of them, salome. There's a few of them, and they had taken these spices to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body. Well, when they got there, the tomb was empty. There was an angel in there, and the angel of the Lord.

Speaker 2: 16:34

In Mark 16, verse 7, he says but go in. Mark 16, verse 7. He says but go your way and tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee, and there you shall see him, as he said unto you. So see, this angel said you, go, tell him, tell him that he's coming, Tell him he's going to be there. And Peter See, friends, peter was specifically singled out to be assured that everything was working out according to God's plan.

Speaker 2: 17:05

God had a plan. God was not through with Peter yet. Only the book of Mark had that detail in it. But God wasn't through with Peter. And you know, one could probably wonder why, know, jesus would want peter for a disciple after all that. But but then again, the rest of them wasn't all that, you know. The rest of them wasn't any better really. But jesus had a plan, you know.

Speaker 2: 17:30

And of course we have the ending to that story in john 21. So in john 21 we go in and we see it, see that Peter had a change in his life after the resurrection. Jesus, of course, appeared again unto his disciples. Now, peter had told the others that he was going to go fishing. He failed the Lord, he messed up, he failed and he knew it. But what else could he do? He reverted back, I guess, to his old profession, he was a fisherman. So what did he say? I'm going fishing. I've messed up, I failed the Lord, I'm just going to go fishing.

Speaker 2: 18:10

Well, some of the other disciples said, okay, well, we're going to go with you. And of course, they go again and they fish all night. They fish all night. They haven't caught nothing, you know. And just as daybreak they see a man standing over on the shore. They didn't know that that was Jesus. But when they got a little closer and the man you know hollered hey, you know, have you guys caught anything? And no, we haven't caught nothing. And the man says you know what, throw your net over to the right side of the boat and then pull them in. And that's what they did. They cast their nets to the right side of the boat and they caught so many they couldn't even haul them in. They caught so many fish. I think one version says it was 153 big fish.

Speaker 2: 18:54

But, like I said, all them different versions. You have to read all four of them, people, to get the whole story. And it's an awesome story, but anyway. So one of the disciples who loved Jesus and we know that's John he stands up and he says it's the Lord. He tells Peter it's the Lord. What does Peter do? He jumps in the lake. He jumps in the lake and he swims to Jesus, and he wasted no time getting to Jesus. And so now I know this kind of sounds familiar and it really should, if you guys have read any of this before, because almost the same thing happened when Jesus first called Peter. You know, a fool, not efficient, and nothing caught. So Jesus is recreating his original call of Peter, you know. And when they had all reached land, they saw a fire of coals over there that Jesus had made a fire. And so if you look back through the other versions, you'll see that Jesus had denied him, peter had denied Jesus standing by a fire.

Speaker 2: 19:52

And now Jesus builds a fire and he takes Peter back to that night, that terrible night, and after they had gotten finished, you know, eating, you know Jesus said to Simon he didn't call him Peter, he calls him Simon. He says Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? And Peter says you know I love you, lord. Jesus says again then feed my lambs. And he asked Peter a second time. He says you know I love you, lord. Jesus says again Then feed my lambs. And he asked Peter a second time. He says Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? And Peter says you know I love you, lord. Yes, I love you. You know I love you, lord. Then Jesus says Feed my sheep.

Speaker 2: 20:36

And Jesus said a third time Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? And by this time I think Peter's getting just a little bit angry, agitated or something, and he says Lord, you know all things. Peter says you know all things, lord, you know that I love you. Then Jesus says then feed my sheep, feed my sheep. You know, when Peter affirms his love for Jesus, then Jesus tells him feed my sheep, feed my lamb.

Speaker 2: 21:01

So in other words, jesus is saying you know what. You don't have to show your love. You don't have to show your love to me by boasting or being the loudest or the most impulsive one of the group. You ain't got to do all of that. If you really love me, then you show me by taking care of my believers, taking care of the people that believes in me. You know he says you show me by your humble service to others. That's how I want you to show me that you love me. You ain't got to be loud. You ain't got to be boastful, you ain't got to be impulsive and jump. And you know, like I said, jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew Peter. You know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2: 21:40

So the thing about it was Peter denied Jesus standing by a fire, and now, by a fire, peter was restored. You see, christ was about to make Peter in charge of his flock, but Peter had to heal first. So Jesus builds a fire and he takes Peter right back to that first sin. Three times Peter is allowed to affirm his love for Jesus to make up for those denials. And isn't that awesome? Is that not awesome, my friends, to know that that same mercy is available to us as well, every single day. You know, is that not awesome? And the good part about this is the good part about this sad story is that Peter repented and he was restored into God's favor.

Speaker 2: 22:25

Now the Bible makes no effort at all whatsoever to hide the weak side of Peter. You know he denied the Lord, but yet two months later he preached a sermon at Pentecost and 3,000 people got saved. You know, peter preached to the Gentiles. He was the first one who preached the good. Preached to the Gentiles. He was the first one who preached the good news to the Gentiles, and then he even wrote two New Testament books. So he's still leading us and guiding us by his words today. And, as with our failures, god used Peter's many failures, including his three denials, to turn him from Simon a common name to Peter the rock upon which he will build his church, and Peter became one of the most prominent figures in Christianity.

Speaker 2: 23:08

Peter's denials of Jesus is one of the most significant moments in all of Scripture. It shows that, no matter how deep our faith, we are human and we make mistakes, and one of the key lessons to learn from this is that, although we stumble and fall, god is always willing to let us turn around and rise up again. See, people follow me was the first command to Peter, and it hasn't changed Through all of his circumstances. All he needed to do was just to follow Jesus, and this is his unchanging command to all of us today Just follow Jesus, you know, not just to attend church and worship service every week. He wants us to follow Jesus daily. He wants us to follow Jesus daily.

Speaker 2: 24:05

You see, the strong leader that Peter becomes in the book of Acts is a powerful testimony to the transforming grace of God in his life and, friends, what the Lord has done for Peter, for me and others, he can do for you. You know, we can only truly stand strong and firm by relying on the strength of Jesus Christ, and this story serves as a reminder that, although we make mistakes, we fail, but we can be forgiven through repentance and reliance on God's power. Whether we're in blessings or tribulations, whether we're in comfort or in trial, in life or in death, we just have to follow Jesus. It's the first thing that he called us to do and it never changes, and I'm going to probably start ending this with this. And I'm going to probably start ending this with this.

Speaker 2: 25:03

So, in light of all of our situations, what are we going to do today? Wherever we go, wherever we are, whatever we're going on in our lives, whatever, just remember people. Remember the words to Peter. It's still his message to us today Just follow Jesus, no matter what has happened in your past, just trust him. Friends, jesus didn't dismiss Peter's sins that night. Just like all of our sins, he paid for them. And remember, friends, failure isn't fatal.

Speaker 2: 25:32

Jesus is in the redemption business. He is in the redemption business as he did with Peter. Jesus wants to heal us. He wants to restore us. He wants to invite us to recommit to following him every day, wherever we go. Whatever we do, whatever we think we've done in our past, we need to follow Jesus. That's all I got for today. I hope and pray that this message has blessed you as much as it has me to bring it to you. Everybody. Please have a blessed week. Be sure to listen here next week on Bible Talk with Sister Deb, and feel free to contact me on my email at osberndebrak at gmailcom, or you can phone me at 606-909-0256. Anything you need. If you need a prayer request, just a prayer, feel free to contact me. I am all about praying now. Wherever we are, wherever we go, we can do some praying. Just contact me, let me know. Thank you very much and God bless.

Speaker 1: 26:44

Hey, use this listening to Bible Talk with Sister Deb Osborne. You can listen to the show on WUIC 88.1 Christian Radio Station every Sunday at 5 pm. You can also listen to her show and much, much more on the 421 show. You can listen to all the. You can listen to it on all major platforms streaming platforms, google, apple and spotify. For contact information, you can email sister deb at osborne, deborah k at gmailcom. If you like to support the show, you can support it through paypal, hor 421 or go hor421showbuzzsproutcom. All shows are recorded live, no post editing, recorded at the 421 studio. For contact information for all your studio needs, you can email at hor421ministries at gmailcom. Phone number is 239-849-1502. Thank you.