Denial and Betrayal

Luke 22:47-62 

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."

57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."

58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."

But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"

59 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. 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.

Denial and betrayal of our Lord are not the same nor bring the same consequences.  The betrayal by Judas was complete and based on his hatred of Jesus for not making him a rich man.  The denial by Peter was temporary and based on fear of what might happen to him if he openly identified as a follower of Jesus Christ.  Judas calculated and made a deal with those set on killing the Christ whom they denied in a more permanent and deeply hate rooted way.  He led the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders whose religious and political control over the citizens was threatened in their estimation.  He betrayed Jesus with a kiss that was not a sincere greeting but a spear aimed at the man he pointed out by a mere sign they agreed on to attempt to cover the hateful act.  Judas was filled with the devil who is God’s adversary set on killing and destruction (John 10:10) of God’s work in Christ (Revelation 12:9, 12, 17).  The disciples tried to defend Jesus with a sword but He undid their attempt by healing the injured man.  He told them to allow the persecution as He alone understood the necessity of enduring the cross (Hebrews 12:2) and shame to suffer and die so they could find salvation in Him and His name.  Jesus did not miss the opportunity to expose those by whose hand He would be sacrificed, however.  He identified them as thieves and robbers coming against Him in the dark away from the observing eyes of the people like a lion seeking to devour Him.  They did not dare to come against the Lord in public because they knew many were beginning to believe He was the Christ which would upend their control over the people and put their own lives in jeopardy.  

The denial by Peter, on the other hand, was done out of fear for his life even after earlier promising that he could not and would never deny the Lord (Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:31, Luke 22:33-34).  How we are all capable of such boasting and then still denying by hiding or running away instead of standing boldly at the risk of our very lives for the gospel and person of Jesus Christ!  We should therefore not be quick to judge dear faithful Peter.  This man did risk his life to a degree by following Jesus to the court of the high priest among the enemies of our Lord even if he did then deny out of fear that he was a follower when asked.  There are many martyrs we read about who refuse to deny they follow Jesus when faced with torture or death, but there are also many who keep silent or even deny this to avoid the danger.  May we not judge them until we face the same situations.  Peter was reminded of his denial by the gaze of Jesus as the rooster sounded off as an alarm to waken Peter just as predicted.  When he realized what he had done, Peter wept bitterly in godly repentance leading to life (2 Corinthians 7:9-10) which Peter later wrote to us about in 1 Peter 4:14, 19 so we might consider our own responses when we are called to bear witness to the hope we have within us.  May we therefore learn from these events to avoid betrayal and repent from our fleshly denial to follow our Lord in spirit and truth with a more completely whole and loyal (2 Chronicles 16:9) heart.  Above all, may we learn from these two responses to following our Lord.