5 Days to Seeing Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurstSample

Denying Jesus

I don’t doubt God is real and that God is good. But I often pray, “God, give me relief from my unbelief.” 

I pray this when what He allows into my life does not feel good or seem good to me. When we assume we know what a good God would do, and He doesn’t do it? That’s the complicated place where doubts are formed and we can be tempted to distance ourselves from God.

I’m reminded of Peter—a man who boldly declared to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Mark 14:31), but then found himself doing the exact opposite.

While Mark 14 shows us Jesus remaining faithful in the midst of the pain and turmoil of a beloved friend’s betrayal (vv. 43–45) and the high priest’s interrogation (vv. 53–65), we find Peter with faltering faith as he stood waiting in a courtyard (vv. 66–72).

Afraid. Cold. Forgetful. Peter soon denied the One who loved him most.

Once. Twice. Three times. A rooster’s shrill cry ushered in the shocking realization that the very thing Peter swore he’d never do, he did.

And as much as we might want to shake our head at Peter, I think we all know fear, pain, and insecurities really can do a number on the human heart.

They certainly did a number on Peter’s, as he watched Jesus, the One he had seen perform miracles, allow Himself to be bound and arrested. Jesus was supposed to be the King who would deliver the Jewish people from the oppression of the Romans. How could this be happening? Peter didn’t realize this was the only way he or anyone else could experience Jesus reigning as King in eternity.

So, in a moment of doubt and disappointment, Peter chose to distance himself from Jesus. Distancing himself to the point of complete denial.

To deny something is to declare it’s untrue. To deny Jesus is to say with our words, thoughts, or actions that we don’t really believe the truth of who Jesus says He is or what He says He’ll do.

How heartbreaking. For us. For Jesus.

But before we give in to feelings of shame, let’s look at Luke 22:61–62: “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

The look that passed between Jesus and Peter wasn’t one of condemnation. It wasn’t an “I told you so” moment. I believe Jesus’ eyes were filled with compassion for Peter. The same compassion He has for us today. A look that invites us to trust Him and draw near to Him once again.

Oh, friend. Let’s ask ourselves where we’re denying Jesus’ truth in our lives. Denying His healing. Denying His redemption and hope.

Nothing is beyond the reach of our Jesus. No matter what we’ve done. No matter what the enemy or our life’s circumstances may say.

We can draw near to Him today and pray, “Lord, I don’t want to deny Your power just because I’m afraid and I don’t see evidence of You working now. Give me relief from any and all unbelief. And help me watch for evidence of all You are doing, big and small. I don’t have to understand this to trust You with this.”

RESPOND: 

Prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal any places you’ve been denying Jesus and to give you relief from your unbelief. Consider reaching out to a friend to help hold you accountable in these areas of your life.