The Cooling Stream

Matthew 26:58, 69-75

But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. (Matthew 26:58)

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All the disciples fled when the Lord Jesus Christ was taken prisoner.

But Peter couldn’t stay away.

He was pulled along by his love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

So he followed the Lord Jesus Christ at a distance.

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Peter wanted to see the outcome of the trial.

It was 1 a.m. in the morning.

The trial would last about two hours.

Peter sat with the soldiers warming himself.

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Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." (Matthew 26:69-70)

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Peter was exposed by a servant girl!

He was caught off guard.

His involuntary reaction revealed his character to be weak and sinful.

He was not prepared for the situation!

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And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" (Matthew 26:71-72)

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After denying the Lord by the fire, Peter couldn’t leave immediately or it would look like he was lying.

So he hung around for a little while.

Then he moved away from the fire inconspicuously.

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But again he was exposed.

This time by another girl!

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Peter was angry, embarrassed, frustrated, afraid, and confused.

His denial became more vehement.

This time he told two lies.

He lied by claiming he didn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ.

And he lied by taking an oath to his truthfulness.

Peter’s second denial demonstrates his lack of trust in God.

He could have spoken the truth and committed himself to the care of the Lord.

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And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

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After his second denial, Peter still hung around for a while.

The first two denials took place in the first hour.

Another hour had gone by.

Peter couldn’t quite bring himself to leave.

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Peter’s Galilean accent was distinguishable.

Those who heard Peter speak confronted him about it.

This time Peter began to curse and swear.

He began with a single lie.

Then to cover that up he lied twice.

And then to cover that up he let loose with a flurry of curses and swears.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s prediction came to pass!

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And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)

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Peter repented.

He wept bitterly.

Peter saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ and he remembered His words.

He saw how he had offended the Lord Jesus Christ.

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John 21 describes how the Lord Jesus Christ put Peter back on his feet and back in ministry.

After that, Peter became the great proclaimer of the gospel in the early church.

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God gives grace to sinners and restores the fallen.

He picks up even the person who has denied Him and shown himself to be weak, and puts him in a place of strength.

Peter denied the Lord Jesus Christ 3 times.

But the Lord Jesus Christ restored Peter.