While the major story of John’s Gospel focuses on Jesus, he also included several minor stories. One of those story arcs involves Simon Peter. For our purposes, we’re going to pick up Peter’s story at the mid-point.
In the Upper Room Jesus was trying to convey to His disciples what was soon to happen. We pick up Peter’s story right after Jesus states that He was leaving soon and going someplace that His disciples couldn’t yet follow. “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” (John 13:37–38, NLT)
An hour or so later, after Jesus and His disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane Peter tries to make good on his statement – and fails miserably. “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” (John 18:10–11, NLT)
John records that the disciples didn’t run away at that point but followed along behind the gaggle of soldiers, guards, and servants arresting Jesus. Their first stop was Annas’s home. One disciple, perhaps John, knew the High Priest and was allowed into the courtyard but Peter had to stay outside the gate. “Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.” (John 18:16b–18, NLT)
After John recounts Jesus’ trial before Annas, we find Peter still warming himself by the fire. “Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.” (John 18:25–27, NLT)
We aren’t told why Peter denied Christ and can only assume his motive. The third denial seems to be out of a fear of reprisal since the questioner was a relative of Malchus and witnessed the slice of Peter’s sword. The larger point however is that Peter did deny Jesus as predicted. Other Gospels record at this point that Peter fled and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).
That is not the end of Peter’s story in the Gospel of John. Peter witnessed the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene first discovered the empty tomb and ran to tell Peter and John. They in turn ran back to the tomb to investigate. “Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed.” (John 20:3–8, NLT) John reports about his own belief but doesn’t describe or include Peter’s thoughts, perhaps because there was a bit of unfinished business.
John goes on to report several appearances of the resurrected Christ. Of all things, Peter decides to go fishing (John 21:3). Six of Jesus’ disciples decided to join him. Their luck was bad and their nets were empty. Then, someone they didn’t recognize, suggested that they cast their nets on the right-hand side. The nets were so full they couldn’t haul them in. “Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.” (John 21:7, NLT)
After a shoreside breakfast of fresh-caught fish, Jesus asked Peter a series of three questions. “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:15–17, NLT)
As you read through Peter’s story perhaps you see a little of yourself. I know I do. It seems easy to make emotionally driven declarations such as “I’ll die for you” only to see them quickly wither in the heat of fear. But I also see that Jesus didn’t throw Peter away because of His denials. Jesus instead challenged, redeemed, and gave purpose to Peter. It is not a coincidence that Peter denied three times and Jesus asked “do you love me” three times. Jesus asks each one of us – “Do you love me?”
That’s not quite the end of Peter’s story in John. Immediately after the three questions Jesus tells Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” (John 21:18, NLT) History tells us that Peter did lay down his life for the sake of Christ and died by crucifixion after years of fruitful service.
Jesus then reiterates the call He first offered to Peter, “Follow me.” Peter, still being Peter, pointed to John and asked Jesus about him. “Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” (John 21:22, NLT) And that perhaps is the largest clue to Peter’s character, an overwhelming concern for what others are thinking and doing. Perhaps we should worry more about our own walk with Christ and worry less about the walk of others.
I love that John included Peter’s very human story of the ups and downs of his faith in Christ. Peter’s story reveals common human failings, the redemptive desire of love, and the continuation of our purpose in Christ even after we’ve failed. Do you love Jesus? Follow Him.
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