What should we make of Peter, who in the first section of our passage today does the opposite of things Jesus told him (and everyone else) to do: he does not take up his cross, he is ashamed of Jesus and his words, and he disowns Jesus before others. What kind of disciple is that? But not only does Peter disown Jesus, but when Jesus stands trial before Pilate, we see everyone distancing themselves from Jesus? Why does these people disown Jesus?

Most importantly for our consideration today, how are we tempted to disown Jesus, and what hope is there for us when we do? This passage answers those questions for us, and we will discover them as we consider the idea of disowning Jesus. Let’s consider two different reasons people disown Jesus.