Denial

John 18:15-27 (NIV)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." ¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself…. ²⁵ As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." ²⁶ One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Just a few hours before, Peter told Jesus "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Luke 22:33 (NIV) Now, when push comes to shove, he is denying even knowing Jesus; and to whom, to the likes of a little servant girl. Jesus, I boldly and confidently profess my love for You and my faith in You; yet, like Peter, how often when push comes to shove, do I through either my words or my actions deny You? I am sooooooo thankful for Your grace and forgiveness. But along with Your grace and forgiveness, I pray for a truly and deeply broken heart, where like Peter, I weep at my denial and sin (Lk 22:61-61). Awaken in me a truly broken heart that leads to true repentance—to change.

Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.