mighty defender and powerful advocate

Matthew 26:47–75; Mark 14:43–72; Luke 22:47–71; and John 18:1–27

When the men came to the Garden of Gethsemane to take Jesus away, Peter tried to defend Jesus with his sword. He cut off the ear of one man. Jesus knew it was time for Him to fulfill the final phase of His earthly mission and allowed Himself to be taken. Because Jesus knew this was Heavenly Father’s will, he submitted easily and even restored the ear that Peter had cut off. Jesus chided the men who came, asking them why they did this deed under the cloak of darkness, when they had the opportunity daily in broad daylight.

Because He admitted He was the Son of God, Jesus was accused of blasphemy, a crime punishable by death. Blasphemy is irreverence toward or claiming to be equal to God. "And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:60–63

Jesus disciples didn't act as they should have; they “forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Only Peter and John followed. To His deep regret, although he did not flee, Peter still forsook or denied Jesus, when people outside Caiaphas’s palace said that he knew Jesus.


“My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others. Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret...If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6).

I contemplate Peter, his actions, and his grief. Have I been like Peter? In what ways do allow myself to deny Jesus? How can I resolve to do so no more?