He Learned Forgiveness From the Master - Continue with Peter's Worst Mistake

 Peter's cautious steps brought him up to the gate of Jerusalem's  most imposing mansions. It was the home of Caiaphas, the wealthy and most powerful high priest.  Such home were usually built around a courtyard, with a gate in the front. Peter reached the gate and was refused entrance. John, who knew the high priest and was already inside, came and got the doorkeeper to admit Peter. It seems that Peter did not stick close to John; nor did he  try to get inside the house to stand at his Master's side.   He stayed in the courtyard, where some slaves and servants were passing the chilly night hours in front of a bright fire, watching as the false witnesses against Jesus paraded in and out of the trial going on inside. - MARK 14:54-57; JOHN 18:15, 16, 18.

In the firelight, the girl who had admitted Peter at the gate was able to see him better. She recognized him. She said accusingly: "You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean!" Caught off guard, Peter denied knowing Jesus or even  understanding what the girl was talking about.  He went to stand near the gatehouse, trying to be inconspicuous, but another girl noticed him and pointed  out the same fact: "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene."  Peter swore:  "I do not know the man!"  (Matthew 26:69-72; Mark 14:66-68) Perhaps it was after this second denial that Peter heard a cock crowing, but he too was distracted to be reminded of the prophec Jesus had uttered just hours earlier. 

A little while later, Peter was still trying desperately to escape notice.  But a group of people standing around in the courtyard approached.  One of them was related to Malchus, the slave whom Peter had wounded. He said to Peter:  "I saw you in the garden with him, did I not?" Peter felt driven to convince them that they were wrong. So he swore to the matter; evidently saying that a curse should come upon him if he was lying.  That was Peter's third denial. No sooner  were the words out of his mouth than a cock crowed- the second one Peter heard that night. - JOHN 18:26, 27;  MARK 14:71, 72. 

Next time: He Learned Forgiveness From the Master - Continue with Peter's Worst Mistake

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