It was one of the most poignant moments in the most poignant week in human history.
Christ Jesus had just been taken captive after his betrayal at the hands of Judas. Peter and another disciple followed him to the house of the high priest, Caiaphas, where Jesus was to be tried by an impromptu gathering of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. The story is familiar. As he waited in an adjacent courtyard to learn of the Master’s earthly fate, Peter was approached by a young woman, then by other bystanders, who recognized him as Jesus’ disciple. Three times, the man who hours before had pledged never to deny Jesus, even at the cost of his own life (see Mark 14:31), now vigorously disclaimed him. A rooster crowed—the signal that Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial had come to pass. And then, this most extraordinary moment, as recorded by Luke: “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter” (22:61).
One can only guess at the impact that moment must have had on Peter. He had denied his faithful mentor and teacher, a man who loved him deeply and who had promised to found his church on Peter’s insight that the source of healing was not human personality but the Christ, the Truth Jesus represented. After seeing the Master, “Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).
