Matthew (Season 9) - Peter’s Denial - Week 4 - 03.17.2024

WestGate Church Teaching

One of the most famous parts of the story of Jesus’ death is that His friends completely fail Him. Most famously, Jesus’ lead disciple, Peter, makes a valiant pledge that he would never deny Jesus, and then, mere hours later, does exactly that three times. There’s much to this story. Matthew is showing us that we all overestimate our own goodness. But Matthew is always showing us the steadfast and unmoveable love of Jesus, who despite Peter’s failure, still goes to the Cross for him. And in the end, as Peter stands outside bitterly weeping, crushed by his own shame and sense of unworthiness, we realize we all have to deal with shame. And that Jesus provides a unique (and uniquely powerful!) answer to this universal human issue. Not just for Peter. But for all of us. SPEAKERS: David Kim (Saratoga), David Tieche (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Matthew 26:69-75