#HolyWeek2021 – Good Friday Reflection 3: Peter Disowns Jesus

Our Good Friday reflections continue. My name is Graham, and we return to the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 22, as we hear of Jesus being betrayed yet again; this time by Peter, who denied Jesus three times:

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’

57But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.

58A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’

‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.

59About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’

60Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Take a moment, and reflect: Peter was Jesus’ best friend and closest disciple. Yet, when it mattered most, Peter pretended that he didn’t even know Jesus. Have you ever found yourself pretending you didn’t know Jesus? How did that feel? Be honest with God about any time you have pretended not to know Him: seek His forgiveness, and know that you will receive it.

Our next reflection is available from: 3pm.