Peter was left confused by his Lord’s refusal to fight. Yet he still wants to be near him. However, when that leads to his exposure, the pressure pushes him into a corner like a frightened animal. The result is that he fulfils the prophecy which Jesus spoke and, as the night rings with the crowing of a cockerel, Peter denies his Lord three times. It’s a shameful incident but is not the end of Peter’s story. God tests his people. He does so to show them their weakness, that they would have faith in him. He does so to show them their sin, that they would repent. He does so out of love, that they would become like their Lord.
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And here is a short talk based on the same passage: He Changed The World (Episode 63)
Denial!