Knüpfer Denial of Saint Peter
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Lent Wednesday 5 2026 Peter
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 18, 2026
Matthew 26:69-75
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Warren Buffett, the legendary investor, once said, "It's good to learn from your mistakes. It's better to learn from other people's mistakes."
Today we have a great opportunity to learn from someone else’s mistake. On that fateful Thursday evening Peter has talked a good game, Matthew 26:33 (ESV) 33 … “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” When told he would deny Jesus three times he replied, Matthew 26:35 (ESV) 35 … “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” Peter is the highly dedicated, truly motivated, rough, tough, can’t get enough follower of Jesus. He is not going to let anything happen to his teacher. And then…he falls asleep on watch at Gethsemane. But when he wakes up and Judas comes with the armed crowd it is Peter who draws his short sword and going one against an armed crowd, tries to split open the head of one of the armed men. He misses and cuts off the man’s ear. Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword. Jesus does not need Peter to defend Him because He could call down 72,000 angels to help, but how then would scripture be fulfilled. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is the only Lamb suitable for sacrifice for the sins of the world. Peter talks a good game but Peter puts his faith in the wrong place. Peter trusts…in Peter. Peter trusts in his own courage, his own strength, his own ability, his own determination.
As Jesus is arrested, Peter runs away into the darkness with rest of the disciples. Jesus warned Peter and the others that they would fall way and scatter and they do just that. Keeping their distance, Peter and John follow Jesus and the armed crowd back up Mt. Zion to the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house. It is getting late and Peter is there in the courtyard to see what will happen to Jesus. Peter is vulnerable. He is surrounded by people that hate Jesus…who want to kill Jesus. Will Peter be next? His former confidence evaporates. The rough, tough, protector is nervous and on edge. Peter is sitting outside in the courtyard and a servant girl approaches. Not a soldier. Not a big, strong man. Not someone in authority. A servant girl. Matthew 26:69 (ESV) … “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” Peter’s earlier bravery has departed. Rough, tough Peter is now weak and scared. All the brave talk is forgotten, all the warnings are forgotten. Peter has to save Peter. He answers, Matthew 26:70 (ESV) 70 … “I do not know what you mean.”
Peter moves over by the entrance. Another servant girl recognizes him, Matthew 26:71 (ESV) 71 …and she [says] to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter’s anxiety rises as he realizes he cannot escape being recognized. Peter liked to think of himself as one of, if not the greatest, of the disciples, now he wishes he would have blended more into the background. Matthew 26:72 (ESV) 72 And again he [denies] it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” Not only does Peter lie about knowing Jesus, but this time with an oath. Does Peter swear to God on his lie?
The bystanders hear Peter talking and after a little while they come up to him, Matthew 26:73 (ESV) 73 … “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Peter is trapped and exposed. How does he get out of this? Are they going to seize him? Will they beat him? Will they get revenge for attacking one of their friends? Peter replies with something like, “A curse be on me if I am lying, I do not know the man. I swear on whatever is holy.” And immediately, a rooster crows.
Jesus’ warnings and Peter’s brave words come back with the sound of a rooster to slap Peter in the face. His face burns with shame. He did run away. He did deny Jesus three times. He lied, he swore an oath, he called down curses on himself. Peter was so proud, so arrogant, so confident, and it was all a lie. In the face of fear Peter shows himself weak and helpless. Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly at his own failure.
As we watch Peter weeping bitterly, what lesson does Peter learn? What lesson can you learn from Peter so you do not have to learn by your own experience?
Peter learns that he cannot rely on Peter. Peter is not rough enough or tough enough. He can be overwhelmed by his enemies. He is not brave enough, he is not strong enough. Peter cannot do it. He learns this bitter lesson about himself while watching the one who is strong enough; the one who shows His strength in weakness. Jesus submits to the will of the Father. The heavenly army that announced His birth to shepherds could instantly be deployed to rescue Jesus from Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders. Jesus could call down an army of angels to put an end to it when He is being tried, when He is being abused, when He is being flogged, mocked, crowned with thorns, and when He is slowly dying in excruciating pain and humiliation on the cross. Jesus is strong enough -- to not stop it. This is why He has come. This is the will of God. He drinks the cup of God’s wrath down to its dregs and dies as the sacrificial Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. Then Jesus conquers sin and death by rising from the dead. Put your trust in Jesus, the founder and perfector of your faith. You cannot trust in yourself. Trust in Jesus.
Peter learns to trust Jesus. He also learns that following Jesus is not about who is the greatest or who is the most courageous. After Jesus is raised from the dead He restores Peter at the Sea of Galilee. John 21:15 (ESV) 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus repeated this restoration twice more, “Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.” Then Jesus tells Peter that when he is old he is going to die for the faith. Then Jesus tells Peter, “Follow me.” Feed His lambs, tend His sheep, feed His sheep …and follow Jesus.
Following Jesus is not about power and wealth and greatness. It is about humble, loving service. Being a follower of Jesus is about being a servant. We see that Peter learned this lesson in his writing to Christian exiles dispersed over Asia Minor. 1 Peter 5:1–5 (ESV) 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Peter learns a difficult lesson. You and I do not have to learn from our own mistakes, we can learn from Peter. Being a Christian is about humble love and service. Being a pastor is also about humble love and service. Look to Jesus as the ultimate servant leader who patiently endured suffering to save you.
When you do not learn from Peter’s mistake and you fail in selfless love and service to others…when you find yourself getting puffed up by your own importance, your own strengths, your own abilities…when you deny Jesus to avoid trouble or persecution or accusation, learn also from Peter that there is restoration after failure. Jesus forgives you and restores you so you can continue your loving service following Him.
You cannot trust yourself, you know that. Trust Jesus especially in times of struggle. Peter encourages Christians to stay faithful even in suffering, 1 Peter 1:6–9 (ESV) 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Learn from Peter. Trust not in yourself. Trust in Jesus. Amen.