The order of the events:

1. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
2. The Last Supper.
3. Jesus reveals that there is a betrayer.
4. The disciples argue over who was the greatest among them.
5. Jesus says they will all fall away and abandon him—quoting Zecheriah 13:7
6. Peter boldly proclaims, “I will not fall away”. Mark 14:29
   • Quick to speak—He had already rebuffed the idea of Jesus washing His feet.

 

Read Luke 22:21-34

TWO Requests made to God in this moment!

 

Satan requests to sift all of them as wheat. (31)

• Wheat goes through a sifting process to remove all of the chaff to get to the seed—it is an abrasive process.

 

• Satan wants to put them through the grinder of hardship.

 

Jesus’ request is for Peter’s faith to not fail. (32a)

• Jesus showing his priestly role of advocating for us.

 

Jesus also acknowledges that Peter will briefly turn away but will come back to strengthen his brothers. (32b)

• Peter will repent.

 

• He will then be charged with the role of strengthening his brothers.
  • Failure is a great teacher.
  • Repentance leads to new strength and perspective.
  • Just like Abraham, Moses, and David

 

Peter is confident that his faith would not waver. (33)

• Prison or death, he is ready to follow Jesus.

 

Jesus shares that Peter will indeed deny him 3x.  (34)

 

Peter denies Jesus and tormented by that final look.  Luke 22:54-62

• Peter denials were to a young girl and two others at the house of the High priest.
• Jesus and Peter’s eyes meet at the very moment of final failure.
• Peter was overcome with grief and shame.

 

Three days of anguish.

• For three days tormented by that look.

 

• His boastful words were tormenting his thoughts.

 

• He replays over and over the three years of being with Jesus.

 

• Remembering the words “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” After catching an enormous net full of fish.

 

• Have I failed the test of leadership?

 

Restoring Peter as a leader among his brothers.  John 21:1-19

• “Do you love me?”
• “You know I love you!”
• Jesus gives clarity in how he can strengthen his brothers.
  • Feed my lambs.
  • Care for my sheep.
  • Feed my sheep.
  • Follow me!

 

How many times had Peter heard Jesus say “follow me”?

• He and his brother Andrew’s calling.
• James and John moments later at their calling.
• The calling of his peers.
• Telling the rich man to sell all he had and follow.
• To serve me you must follow me. John 12:26
• To the man who wanted to put family first over Jesus, you must follow me.
• I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will not walk in darkness but walk in the light of life. John 8:12
• My sheep know my voice and follow me. John 10:27

 

Matthew 16:24b “…“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

“Follow Jesus” is the simple the call to doing life with Him.

1. Deny yourself as the end objective for life.

 

2. Actively living a life of surrender to Jesus to whom you once rebelled.

 

3. Following Jesus and walking the light of true life.

 

Peter does deny himself, take up his cross and followed Jesus.

 

You can’t claim to be his servant and not follow him.

You can’t walk in darkness and claim you are following him.

You can’t be ruled by the pursuit of wealth and follow him.

You can’t make family a barrier to following him.

 

One who follows Jesus will become a servant of others.

Follow Jesus and you will avoid darkness and stay in the light.

Follow Jesus and money becomes a tool to serve Him and others.

Follow Jesus and your family become the first you invite to follow him with you. 

 

Benediction:

1 Peter 2:20b-25