Maundy Thursday is a very important day, the day when a “new commandment” to love one another was given to the disciples (John 15:17), when Jesus ate among His friends at the Last Supper (Matthew 25:17-30) and when Judas sold Jesus for almost nothing (Luke 22:3-6). But for Maundy Thursday we chose to focus on the betrayal of Peter found in Matthew 26:69-75.
Jesus predicted this denial, but Peter protested (Matthew 26:31-35). Peter showed some bravery in the garden when he tried to defend Jesus by swinging his sword at Malchus, the servant to Caiaphas the High Priest (John 18:10-11). But when it came to standing up for Christ with his words to servant girls, he was weak.
I wanted to explore this time of weakness because it is a time of great humility for Peter; a time when Peter is brought low so that the power of Christ can be shown in him later (see Peter’s public address at Pentecost; Acts 2:14-41). At the end of the song we repeat the words “I won’t be afraid” which looks forward to the time when “the rock”—as Jesus referred to Peter in Matthew 16:17-19—will boldly announce Christ in front of thousands (Acts 2:41).
lyrics
Peter’s Betrayal
Words and Music by: Justin Rose
VERSE 1:
He kissed Your cheek in the garden, I was so angry
I swung my sword, swung it hard to protect You, my Lord.
I swung my sword at the High Priest.
My body falls and fades so fast, I’m just like that.
But You, oh God, can save.
VERSE 2:
You told me that I’d deny You three times I said “That’s
Impossible! I would never deny You, my Lord.”
Oh help me God, I got so scared.
My body falls and fades so fast, I’m just like that.
But You, oh God, can save.
VERSE 3:
She saw my face, said she saw me with Jesus that day.
They heard me speak and my accent told them it was me.
The rooster crowed, I cursed myself.
My body falls and fades so fast, I’m just like that.
But You, oh God, can save.
BRIDGE:
I won’t be afraid, I won’t be afraid.
I won’t be afraid, I won’t be afraid.
I won’t be afraid, I won’t be afraid.
I won’t be afraid, I won’t be afraid.
credits
from Holy Week,
released April 8, 2011
Words and Music by: Justin Rose
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