Peter, do you love me? You know I do.

Peter, do you love me? You know I do.

Peter, do you love me? You know I do.

In John 21, Simon Peter is asked three times to confess his love for Jesus. Why three times? Because in John 18—the passage before us this Sunday—Peter denied Jesus three times, just like Jesus said he would in John 13.

Wonderfully, Jesus forgave and restored Peter as they ate fish on the side of the lake. But until then, the three denials of Christ devastated Peter and brought everything into question.

Today, we are given chances to stand for Christ too. And the question we must ask ourselves is this: How will we fare differently than Peter? What caused this disciple to deny Christ? And what will keep us from doing the same?

Even more, who is the Christ we are confessing? And how does that knowledge empower us to declare our allegiance when the world around us threatens those who confess Christ. These questions and more will be addressed this Sunday as we look at John 18:12–27.

To prepare for Sunday, read John 18–19. Pray that God would open our eyes to see who Christ is and that the Spirit might open our eyes to see ways we are trusting in ourselves and are compromised in our allegiance to Christ.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. As a reminder the Springwood's Community Group is in the overflow this Sunday. And all of us will gather for worship at 10:00am.

For His Glory and your joy,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions for John 18:15 – 27

How did Jesus prepare his disciples for this event? Read John 13:36-38, and consider in light of John 18:15-27.

Notice how Peter fights (John 18:10-11) and follows (John 18:15-16), and the discontinuity with his denials. How should we understand this?

In what way does Scripture speak about denying Christ? (Matt 10:32-33)

What does this scene reveal about Jesus? (Luke 22:31-32; 2 Tim 2:11-13)

In what ways are we tempted to disassociate ourselves with Christ today? What are the motives (idols) with this kind of temptation?

What does the scene in the high priest’s home reveal about Jesus? (vv. 19-24)

What does this scene reveal about the legal process that is unfolding?

As we look at Peter’s three denials, is there hope for those who deny Christ? Why or why not?

How ought we to respond to this text?

Spend time praying that the Lord would give us boldness to confess faith in Christ in the midst of a hostile world.