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Peter gets a bad rap for denying Jesus.

And perhaps he should.

But if we focus on the denial, we miss Peter’s bravery. When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Jesus to his trial. He went straight into the enemy camp.

He witnessed Jesus being mistreated as the trial unfolded. And then, when he was asked if he knew Jesus, he faltered. At that moment, it seemed easier to deny association than to get thrown into the fray with Jesus.

Three times he made the choice to preserve his life instead of risk the association.

And on that third time, something breathtaking happened: Jesus and Peter locked eyes.

I can hardly imagine the moment. Jesus was not only Peter’s closest friend but also his Rabbi. His respected and beloved teacher.

What was in Jesus’s look?

As you listen to this meditation, you will be guided to consider this question. And I’ll help you reframe what you might think was in Jesus’s eyes to see his love for Peter and us.

You’ll also have space to see where the Spirit leads you as we engage with the Scripture in an imaginative prayer experience.

Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

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If you missed last week’s meditation on Jesus and Peter praying in the garden, you can find it here.

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The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Luke 22:54-62, NLT

Peter Denies Jesus

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

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