Growing Strong in the Season of Lent

Luke 22: 31-34; 54-62 (Passion Sunday) or John 18:15-27 (Good Friday)

It is very difficult to think of the events of Holy Week without thinking of Simon Peter’s denial of Christ. The story is well known to us all. At the last supper Jesus tells Simon Peter that before the cock crows three times, he will deny him three times. Prior to this Simon Peter has just pledged his allegiance to Christ in his normal, assertive style, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” And who can deny he meant it? It was the kind of outburst we have come to expect out of Peter.

None of the Gospels record the expression that was on Jesus’ face when he answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”…