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46. The Denial of
Peter.
Now they brought the
Lord before Caiaphas the high priest that very night, where several
other priests and counselors were already assembled and waiting for him.
They held a brief preliminary interrogation of him so that they would
know what they wanted to accuse him of, and so that they would be
unanimous in their judgment when the trial was held on him the following
morning.
They were unanimous in their judgment that he must die because he had
confessed that he was Christ, the Son of God. For the high priest, with
hypocritical horror, called this blasphemy.
But who was standing in the high priest's courtyard among the officers
of the court and the servants? Peter and another disciple had followed
Jesus from a distance into the courtyard of the palace to see what would
happen to him. They thought that no one would recognize them, especially
at night. But as they stood there warming themselves by a charcoal fire,
the light of which illuminated Peter's face, a maid of the high priest
caught sight of him and recognized him. She said to him, “You too were
with Jesus of Galilee.” Then the disciple was suddenly overcome with
fear. He denied with the words, “I do not know what you are saying.”
When another maid saw him, she said, “This man was also with Jesus of
Nazareth!” Peter denied for the second time and swore: “I do not know
the man.” After some time, as morning was approaching, several of those
present said, “Indeed, he was there too.” Indeed, one of the officers of
the court asked him to his face: “Did I not see you standing in the
garden with him?” Then Peter, in fear, affirmed for the third time: “I
do not know the man.” Soon afterwards the cock crowed.
Meanwhile the servants had also led Jesus into the courtyard to guard
him until the day came. This was done with the most unjust mistreatment.
But when the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Then the
disciple remembered the words of his Lord: “Before that day comes, you
will deny me three times.” The poor disciple went away with his face
covered, weeping bitterly for his presumption and his fall. He could no
longer talk to Jesus and weep out the pain of his repentance before him.
But Jesus knew his disciple. The heavenly One looks into the heart.
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