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Author: Stephen Weller
593 words, 3 minutes read time

A Promise Peter Cannot Keep

Scripture: Luke 22:33-34; John 13:36-38

In the previous lesson we left Peter pleading for Jesus to clearly tell them where Jesus was going and why they can’t go with him. In this lesson we will find Peter making a promise that he will be unable to keep.

^{Jn 13:36} Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”

I can feel Peter’s emotion about being left behind and not knowing what lies ahead. Back in 2004 I traveled with a team to Asia. They left me in Thailand to travel alone to a location in China to teach, and they continued on to their destination. I felt somewhat anxious, but they assured me I would be ok. After they had left I discovered that my direct flight was not available that day. I had to be there because I was to meet an unknown person who would take me to an undisclosed location for my duration of stay. WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO? God had a plan that I didn’t know about that was difficult to experience but at the same time totally amazing. When bedtime came that day I was shown my bed at the school and lay on its hard surface trying to process how God had provided. Peter was feeling like I did when I was alone wondering how I would ever get to my location and meet an unidentified person.

Jesus does not give any more information about where he is going but does say that they will be able to follow him later. Surely, this response will not satisfy Peter, but I know from personal experience that at the right time, God will provide the way.

^{Jn 13:37} Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? ^{Lk 22:33} Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death. ^{Jn 13:37} I will lay down my life for you.”

You can feel the frustration building up in Peter and in that frustration he says things that he will not be able carry out. He says, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” At this point, Peter is very unsure of himself and doesn’t see how he can go on without the leadership of Jesus, and out of that desperation, he says things that are unrealistic at this time in Peter’s life. After Pentecost he would be able to follow through, but now he will be unable to.

^{Jn 13:38} Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, ^{Lk 22:34} Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus questions Peter’s ability to lay down his life for him and explains to him that he will fail. Since it is evening, it is the beginning of a new Jewish day, and before that day is over, Peter is told that he will deny him three times.

Conclusion

Out of desperation, Peter makes a promise that he would be willing to go to prison with Jesus and even to lay down his life for him in order to stay with him, but Jesus tells Peter that he will fail to keep his word and before the day is over he will deny even knowing Jesus.