Peter’s Darkest Hour

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Probably my favorite time of worship is the time I share with God’s saints around the communion table. Nothing stirs my heart more than to think of the Lamb that was slain for me – and then to lift my heart in worship and adoration to Him. You probably have similar memories and joys. But for all that we share – can you imagine what it would be like to have Jesus Himself leading that communion? To have His Hands break the bread and hand it to you? To have His Hands pass the cup into yours?

That is where we start with Peter tonight. Peter is just coming down from the greatest celebration of Communion of all time at the Last Supper. And then it happened.

Join me tonight on the darkest night of Peter’s life. The night he would never forget – though he was forgiven. It is a night that started with the most unusual celebration of the Passover that had ever been in the nearly 1,500 years of continuous celebrations.

Tonight Jesus had taken the Passover meal that He had shared with His disciples three times already – and He changed the ancient prescribed manner it was to be celebrated. This night Jesus after the traditional third of the four cups of the Jewish Passover – Jesus took a piece of unleavened bread and said “Take eat, this is my Body which is broken for you. Do this remembering Me.”

For us that bread or the afikomen (as it is called today) is a beautiful and strikingly clear picture of Jesus.

Unleavened — it represents His perfect, sinless life.
Striped and pierced – it portrays what the Scripture say that “with His stripes we are healed” (lsaiah 53:5), and also that Jesus was pierced (Ps. 22:16; Isaiah 53:15).

After this riveting experience, and the quick departure of Judas – we find in John 14.31 that they left the Upper Room. Now the Eleven walk with Jesus in the late night darkness illumined by the full moon of Passover, to the Garden of Gethsemane. Along the way Jesus gives His final training sessions known to us as John 15-17

Then they arrive at the place of prayer. Jesus had found this to be His place – the place of refuge and the place of strength as He ministered under such pressure. It should challenge us to pray when we see that at the most trying of times – Jesus increased His prayer times. Instead of pressures driving Him away from the Lord – pressures drove Him even closer to the Lord.

Gethsemane was probably a small, walled garden that may have belonged to a wealthy follower of Christ’s. To this spot Jesus often resorted. It was most likely near a place where olives were pressed, much like the Cave of Gethsemane that many scholars believe to be that place. It was in this garden that Jesus prayed, and in that cave that Christ’s disciples slept. And it was from there Jesus was led after his arrest – to the home of Caiaphas.

Turn with me to John 11.49-53. One of the most prominent[2] figures in all the Gospel accounts that describe Jesus final week of conflict in the Holy City is the high priest Caiaphas. Caiaphas, who served as the leader of the Sanhedrin from A.D. 18-36, is known in the Gospel accounts as the one who prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.

Now turn to John 18.14. Caiaphas is also the man who actually set in motion the plan to kill Him, and then presided over the late-night trial at which Jesus confessed Himself to be the Messiah and was subsequently condemned (Matthew 26:57-68).

Of all the objects unearthed in the Holy Land – this one strikes a very sobering cord for me. This box found in 1990 still holds the earthly frame of Caiaphas – the man who condemned Jesus to death. Can you imagine what he has been thinking for the past 2000 years? He is right now most likely in Hades, in the fire, burning hot, endlessly dying of thirst, dreading the moment he knows that he will have to face Jesus again.

Luke 22.55-65 records the events in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house that Peter waited for word about Jesus, but instead betrayed Him three times before the cock crowed (Matthew 26:69-75).

Whether or not the place identified as Caiaphas’ house today in Jerusalem is the actual site, we now have discovered the actual remains of the high priest in his ossuary within his family tomb. The find occurred by accident[3] in November of 1990 when workers were building a water park in Jerusalem’s Peace Forest, which is south of the Temple Mount. The discovery was made when the roof of the burial chamber collapsed and revealed 12 limestone ossuaries. One of the ossuaries was exquisitely ornate and decorated with incised rosettes. Obviously it had belonged to a wealthy or high-ranking patron who could afford such a box. On this box was an inscription. It read in two places[4] Qafa and Yehosef bar Qayafa (“Caiaphas,” “Joseph, son of Caiaphas”). The New Testament refers to him only as Caiaphas, but Josephus gives his full name as “Joseph who was called Caiaphas of the high priesthood.” Inside were the bones of six different[5] people, including a 60-year-old man (most likely Caiaphas).

At the time[6] of the discovery Steven Feldman, associate editor of Biblical Archaeology Review, observed that “the find should be particularly exciting to some believing Christians because to them it may bolster the Bibles accuracy….” Indeed it does, especially when we add together the facts that Caiaphas handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, whose existence archaeology can also attest to.

Luke 22:60-62 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

JESUS WANTS ME TO KNOW THAT HE IS WATCHING ME IN MY DARKEST HOURS. Note who was watching who. Jesus knew exactly where Peter was both spiritually and physically. He is in touch with our lives. No matter what you and I do, no matter where we are – Jesus has His eyes on us. When the disciples were sinking in the boat during the storm and Jesus was miles away on top of a lonely mountain – He was watching and came to them at exactly the right moment they needed Him. He is always there. He is always watching. He is always rescuing – just when we need Him!
JESUS IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THE EVENTS SURROUNDING MY LIFE. For one cock[7] to crow at the right time while the other birds in the city remained silent was certainly a miracle. But the crowing of the cock was much more than a miracle that fulfilled our Lord’s words; it was also a special message to Peter, a message that helped to restore him to fellowship again. What encouragements did the crowing of the cock give to the Apostle Peter? First, it was an assurance to him that Jesus Christ was still in control of things even though He was a prisoner, bound and seemingly helpless before His captors. Peter could recall witnessing his Lord’s authority over the fish, the winds, and the waves, and even over disease and death. No matter how dark the hour was for Peter, Jesus was still in control!
JESUS WANTS ME TO REMEMBER HIS WORD IN MY DARKEST HOURS TO GIVE ME HOPE. Second, the crowing of the cock assured Peter that he could be forgiven. Peter had not been paying close attention to the Word of God. He had argued with it, disobeyed it, and even run ahead of it, but now he “remembered the word of the Lord” (Luke 22:61), and this brought him hope. Why? Because with the word of warning was also a promise of restoration! Peter would be converted and strengthen his brethren. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
JESUS PROMISES US A LIFE OF NEW BEGINNINGS. Finally, the miracle of the cock told Peter that a new day was dawning, for after all, that is what the rooster’s call means each day. It was not a new day for Judas or for the enemies of the Lord, but it was a new day for Peter as he repented and wept bitterly. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 51:17). On Resurrection morning, the angel sent a special message to encourage Peter (Mark 16:7), and the Lord Himself appeared to Peter that day and restored him to fellowship (Luke 24:34).

JESUS OFFERS US COMPLETE FORGIVENESS AND NO CONDEMNATION. Each one of us, at one time or another, will fail the Lord and then hear (in one way or another) “the crowing of the cock.” Satan will tell us that we are finished, that our future has been destroyed, but that is not God’s message to us. It was certainly not the end for Peter! His restoration was so complete that he was able to say to the Jews, “But you denied the Holy One and the Just!” (Acts 3:14, NKJV) Peter did not have 1 John 1:9 to read, but he did experience it in his own heart.

How many times Did Peter Deny Jesus?

A careful study of all four Gospels reveals that Peter actually denied Jesus six times. Each time, each place, each denial is clearly different from the others. And if taken in order they clearly make a precise fulfillment of Christ’s warning to Peter in Mark 14. And remember – that is in Mark because Peter could never forget what Jesus had said to HIM!

Mark 14:70-72 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” 71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

The First Series of Three.

The First Denial, John 18:17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
The Second Denial, Matthew 26:70 (Mark 14:68). Matthew 26:69-70 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” Mark 14:68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
The Third Denial in Matthew 26:71 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.”

Place: the door (thura) without.
Time: entering.
The questioner: the porteress (Greek thuroros).

Place: the hall (aule).
Time: sitting.
Questioner: a certain maid. Luke 22:56 – 58 combines the same place and time, with the same maid, and another (heteros, masculine).

Place: the gateway, or porch (pulon).
Time: an interval of an hour. John 18:25, 26 combines the same place and time, with another maid and bystanders, one of them being a relative of Malchus.

The 1^st COCK CROWS: Mark 14:68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. John 18:27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

The Second Series of Three. The First Denial, Mark 14:69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.”
The Second Denial in Matthew 26:73 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.” Mark 14:70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”
The Third Denial in Luke 22:59-60 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. Place : the midst of the hall (aule, verse 55). Time: “an hour after” (verse 59). Questioner : a certain one (masculine).

Place: “beneath in the hall”.
Time: shortly after.
Questioner: the maid again.

Place: the gate (pulon).
Time: shortly after.
Questioner: the bystanders.

THE 2^ND COCK CROWS: Matthew 26:74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

Mark 14:72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” We thus have a combined record in which there remains no difficulty, while each word retains its own true grammatical sense.

Part-12 The DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and forsaken at Gethsemane	26:47-56	14:43-52	22:47-53	18:2-12
1^st Jewish Phase: Annas questions Jesus at Gallicantu				18:13-24
2^nd Jewish Phase: Caiaphas questions Jesus	26:57-68	14:53-65	22.54
Peter denies knowing Jesus	26:69-75	14:66-72	22:55-65	18:25-27
3^rd Jewish Phase: The council of religious leaders condemns Jesus	27:12	15:1a	22:66-71
Judas suffers remorse and kills himself (Acts 1.18-19)	27:3-10
1^st Roman Phase: Jesus stands trial before Pilate at Palace	27.2, 11-14	15:1b-5	23.1-5	18:28-38
2^nd Roman Phase: Jesus stands trial before Herod Antipas			23:6-12
3^rd Roman Phase: Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified	27:15-26	15:6-15	23:13-25	18:39-19:16
Roman soldiers mock Jesus at Gabbatha	27:27-30	15:16-19
Journey to Golgotha	27:31-34	15:20-24	23:26-33a	19:17
1^st Three Hours of Crucifixion (the 5^th Event of Christ’s Life)	27.35-44	15.24-32	23.33b-42	19.18-27
2^nd Three Hours of Crucifixion	27.45-50	15.33-37	23.44-45a	19.28-30
Jesus dies on the cross	27.51-58	15.38-45	23.45b-52	19.31-38
Jesus is laid in the Garden Tomb	27.59-60	15.46	23.53-54	19.39-42
Guards are posted at the tomb and the women watch	27.61-66	15.47	23.55-56