Station 4, Day 3

Station 4, Day 3

Jesus is denied by Peter

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”  Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.[1]

Meditation

            During their dinner at the Last Supper, before retiring to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, before the Temple guards came to take him away, Jesus reveals an amazing insight about Peter. Jesus tells his disciples about the events that will soon unfold and how many followers will fall away from and deny him. Peter insists he will never deny Jesus. Then, Jesus says, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:33b)

            In the courtyard of the high priest, Peter is accused three times of being a follower of Jesus. And three times he denies it. And with the third denial, the cock crows, exactly as Jesus predicted. Jesus knows our frailties and loves us deeply in spite of them.

Spiritual Discipline

Find a quiet place and enter a time of silence for 10 minutes. Attempt to let go of the trials of the moment – your to do list, your stressors at work or home, the pressing needs of family. Deliberately turn off your inner dialogue by acknowledging thoughts as they come to you, then letting them go. Breathe deeply and internalize whatever degree of silence you can attain. There is no pressure to receive insights or inspiration. Experiencing silence is sufficient.

Prayer

            Patient and understanding Lord of my life, accept and forgive my human weaknesses. Allow me to feel your loving and accepting presence in times of joy, in times of despair, and in all times in between. Amen.

This is the 17^thin a daily series titled The Stations of the Cross that will run through Easter 2026, at which time I will return to my weekly Life Notes.Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

---

[1] Luke 22:54-62