Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, April 4, 2014 Read John 18:25-27 John now returns to the courtyard to tell of the final two denials of Jesus by Peter. John’s skill as a writer shines in his use of these two stories. By intertwining them John skillfully contrasts the faithfulness of Jesus and the faithlessness of Peter. Jesus is not on trial but Peter is! As readers of John’s gospel we already know that Peter will fail. Jesus has said he would. And Peter does. Jesus had also told Peter that his denial would happen before the cock crows. Once the last denial has happened the cock does crow. John does not tell us that Peter left the scene weeping. He simply removes Peter from the scene until the empty tomb scene. John will pick up the three denials much later in his gospel in the resurrection appearance when Jesus will ask Peter three times if his loves him. That will be Peter’s redemption.