Portraits of Denial
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Harmonizing the accounts of Peter's most impactful lesson.
Text: Luke 22:54-62
Date: 03/30/2018, the Good Friday service.
Series: "Good Friday" Part 9
Occasion: Good Friday
Description:
In this Good Friday meditation we will harmonize the various Gospel accounts of Peter's threefold denial of Christ on the night of His arrest. The focus will be on the egregious nature of Peter's sin and the subsequent grace that abounded in his forgiveness and restoration. We will analyze the paradoxical lesson Peter learned that night-- that for the Christian, true strength is found in weakness. We will ultimately consider our own portraits of denial and how God uses times of brokenness to mold us into the disciples He wants us to be.
View:
Options:
I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 22:54-62.
A. Context, Matt. 26:31,33-35,41.
B. Harmonizing Peter's denials.
1. In the courtyard of the high priest, vs. 54-55.
a. Getting to the house of Caiaphas, vs. 54, Matt. 26:58a, Mark 14:54a.
b. John's discussion at the door, John 18:15-16a.
c. Hanging out by the fire, vs. 55, Matt. 26:58b, Mark 14:54b, John 18:16b,18.
d. A break in the narrative, Matt. 26:69a, Mark 14:66a, John 18:25.
2. Challenge and denial, vs. 56-60a.
a. The first encounter, vs. 56-57.
i. The first challenge, vs. 56, Matt. 26:69b, Mark 14:66b-67, John 18:17a.
ii. The first denial, vs. 57, Matt. 26:70, Mark 14:68, John 18:17b.
b. The second encounter, vs. 58.
i. The second challenge, vs. 58a, Matt. 26:71, Mark 14:69, John 18:25a.
ii. The second denial, vs. 58b, Matt. 26:72, Mark 14:70a, John 18:25b.
c. The third encounter, vs. 59-60a.
i. The third challenge, vs. 59, Matt. 26:73, Mark 14:70b, John 18:26.
ii. The third denial, vs 60a, Matt. 26:74a, Mark 14:71, John 18:27a.
3. The aftermath, vs. 60b-62.
a. The rooster crows, vs. 60b, Matt. 26:74b, Mark 14:72a, John 18:27b.
b. The look of sadness, vs. 61a.
c. Peter remembers, vs. 61b, Matt. 26:75a, Mark 14:72b.
d. Peter weeps, vs. 62, Matt. 26:75b, Mark 14:72c.
III. Application
A. The depth of Peter' sin.
1. An egregious sin, Matt. 10:32-33.
2. Peter's important lesson, Acts 5:15, Matt. 5:3,5.
B. Peter and the blessing of "Good Friday".
1. An outpouring of grace.
2. Good news for people like Peter, 5:4, Rom. 7:24,25, 2Cor. 12:10.
IV. Conclusion