Peter's denials

“Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.” John 18:27
We all know about the lowest point in Peter’s life: when he denied his Lord. Jesus had told him that they would all desert Him (Matt. 26:31), but Peter protests, saying, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will” (Matt. 26:33). Jesus then prophesied, “I tell you the truth... this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times” (Matt. 26:34).
Here’s a tricky question for you: how many times did Peter disown the Lord? Let’s take a look at all four Gospel accounts, and note where the challenge was given, and whom it was given by.
1. At the entrance to the high priest’s courtyard, by the girl at the door (John 18:16-18)
2. In the courtyard, by a servant girl (Matt. 26:69-70, Mark 14:66-68, Luke 22:55-57)
3. In the gateway, by the same servant girl (Mark 14:69-70)
4. In the gateway, by another servant girl (Matt. 26:71-72)
5. In the courtyard, by a man (Luke 22:58, John 18:25)
6. In the courtyard, by some men who recognised his accent (Matt. 26:73-74, Mark 14:70-71, Luke 22:59)
7. In the courtyard, by one of the servants of the high priest, who recognised him from Gethsemane (John 18:26-27)
So we see that Peter was challenged by at least seven different people, and denied all of them. Even in this moment of Peter’s great weakness, we see the greater grace of God. Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times – he denied Him more than that. It took the crowing of the rooster for Peter to realise what he had done. No wonder he went out and wept bitterly (Matt. 26:75, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:62). But Jesus didn’t leave Peter there. After His resurrection, He restored Peter, giving him the opportunity to express his devotion to Jesus (John 21:15-17). We may feel like we have denied the Lord, by our words or actions, or by our silence and inaction. But we have not fallen so far that His grace cannot reach us and pick us up again.