HCC Weekly - May 12th, 2025

I Do Not Know This Man

Pastor Rachael

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72)

Today’s devotional is an excerpt taken from the book 24 Hours that Changed the World written by Adam Hamilton.

The incident [Peter’s denial of Jesus], is one of the few that is mentioned in all Four Gospels, so all four writers must have considered it important. It was not included in order to embarrass Peter. The Gospels were written, in fact, after (tradition tells us) Peter had been crucified upside down for his faith.

The Gospel writers knew the story because Peter must have regularly told the awful truth of that episode himself. None of the other disciples (except John) was there. Peter must have told it when he went to preach. Peter would have surely said, “I know you’ve denied Jesus. I denied him myself. I denied him in a way I am deeply ashamed of, and yet I have to tell you: I betrayed the Lord but he gave me grace. He took me back. And if you’ve denied him, he will take you back, too.”

Peter wanted to reassure others that, despite the fact that there are times when all of us deny the Lord, he will continue to take us back and use us to accomplish his work.

So church, this week, I urge you to remember that Jesus is more than a great teacher and more than a great prophet. He is the I AM. The Priest-King who will come one day on the clouds to reign over all. Peter’s denial is a reminder that we who have answered the call to follow Jesus are tempted at times to deny even that we know him; and it serves as an invitation for us to be counted among his followers, regardless of the cost.

Have a blessed Monday.