On Line Bible Study - For the Week August 26 - September 1, 2013

Lesson 573

Peter Denies ...

We will spend a moment longer at this stage (Jesus Before the Jewish Authorities).  But our focus will be on Peter.  Father Raymond Brown points out the consistent manner in which the denial of Peter is contained within the four gospels ... and yet there are excruciatingly frustrating details of disagreement.  We are gong to focus on two of the denials of Peter (not three); and we are going to limit our consideration to only one of the gospels - the Gospel of John.  There is a link to the text above (Peter Denies).

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus says: "I am ...":

• "I am he."  (John 4:26)
• "I am the bread of life."  (John 6:35)
• "I am the living bread".  (John 6:51)
• "I am from him."  (John 7:29)
• "I am the light of the world."  "I am the light of life."  (John 8:12)
• "I am one who testifies for myself."  (John 8:18)
• "I am he [Son of Man].  (John 8:28)
• "Before Abraham was born, I am!"  (John 8:58)
• "I am the good shepherd."  (John 10:11, 14)

For all the "I am's" of Jesus (and above is only a partial list from John's gospel), Peter's denial rings out in stark contrast.  To the question: Aren't you one of his disciples? Peter responds with an unequivocal I am not!  Jesus is so passionately for us; we are just as energetically against him.  It's not that the other gospels are sketchy on Peter's denial; it's just that in John, he is so absolute in his denial, and the language is so similar - except for that one word: not.

Perhaps the evangelist wants us to see this contrast, and to reflect on it.  Are we as certain that we would never deny Jesus?  Are we as confident that our speaking and our actions would never contradict or compromise the teachings of Christ?

Thinking for a moment of the Gospel of Luke, there is a question put to Jesus by the Council: Are you the Son of God?  Jesus replies: You say that I am ...  Perhaps we are more honest when we say Jesus is the "Son of God" than we are when we say we are his disciples.