Jesus Said No

A Different Look at Peter's Denial

Two weeks ago at communion, a familiar story struck me in a new way. It wasn't because I hadn't heard it before, but because the truth of it just hit differently.

When we read the Bible, we often get caught up in the people—identifying with them, or maybe reassuring ourselves that at least we didn’t mess up that bad. While there's a place for that, the real gold is found in understanding God Himself. He is the one unchanging character in every story. The Bible tells us in Hebrews that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. His nature is solid. It doesn’t change.

This means if we see God celebrating something in scripture, He’s celebrating it in our lives today. If we see something that makes God enraged, it's still making Him enraged today. His nature is a constant we can count on.

This truth becomes incredibly personal when we look at the story of Peter’s denial.

1. The Enemy is Active and Personal

In Luke 22, Jesus gives Peter a heads-up: “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.”

This isn't just a general spiritual warning. It’s a specific alert for a specific person. The enemy saw Peter. Just like he saw Job, he said, “Let me test that one! He’ll abandon you.” Peter was about to be put to the test, and the enemy was convinced he would fail.

Think about that. The devil isn't just a concept; he is an adversary who sees you, knows your weaknesses, and is prowling "like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

2. We Will Fall Short

No matter how long you've walked with Jesus, no matter how strong you think your faith is, you will fall. You will miss the mark. Peter is a testament to this. He was one of Jesus’s closest friends and followers, yet when he was "sifted," he failed. We know the story: before the rooster crowed, he had denied Jesus three times. He fell short.

And when he did, he felt the weight of it. Luke 22:62 says he "went outside and wept bitterly." This is what true repentance looks like. It’s more than just saying "I'm sorry." It’s sorrow, a desire to be different, and a dedication to change.

3. Jesus Intercedes for Us

Here is the most powerful part of the story, and the part we must remember. Just after the warning, Jesus says to Peter, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Jesus saw the sifting coming, and He prayed. In that moment, He essentially said "no" to the enemy. "You might be able to sift him, but you won't separate him from me. You won't have him."

This is true for us, too. You are not meant to face the enemy alone. When you feel like you are at your lowest, when it feels like your faith is totally gone, remember this truth: Jesus is our advocate. He is at the right hand of God, "always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

It might feel like you're totally beaten down, but Jesus said no. Your faith might seem to have "left the chat," but Jesus is praying that it won’t fail.

4. Strengthen Your Brothers

The beauty of our relationship with Jesus is found in restoration. Jesus didn’t leave Peter in his shame. He met him on the shore, restored him three times for his three denials, and gave him a new command: "Feed my sheep."

Peter’s story of failure and restoration became his greatest testimony. Everyone knew what happened. They knew he had fallen. So when he came back, and when he preached, they didn't see a perfect superhero of faith. They saw someone who had been broken and put back together by Jesus. His testimony of God’s grace had incredible power because it was real and relatable.

Your story is just as powerful. The times you’ve been brought through something by Jesus are not just for you—they are to encourage and strengthen others. We need to hear about your victories. When you share that Jesus brought you through something impossible, it cuts the fear in half for someone else facing their own battle. It’s one thing to hear about David defeating Goliath; it’s another thing to hear that someone you know has had victory over their own giants. That makes the victory personal.

So, when do you share your testimony? When there are opportunities. We are called to testify of what He has done for us. It reminds us of God's unchanging nature and gives others hope that they, too, can be restored.