“And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.”

If others knew, he too, could be beaten and condemned to death. After all, he had followed this Galilean for several years as one of His closest associates.

But he denied, saying:

“I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest.”

And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by:

“This is one of them.”

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter:

“Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.”

But he began to curse and to swear saying:

“I know not this man of whom ye speak.”

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Years Later...

As he saw his own dear wife lead like a lamb to the slaughter, Peter remembered his days walking and talking with Jesus. How he learned at the Master's knee and tried to defend Him from the Roman soldiers. The only regret of his life was that time when, just before his Lord was crucified, this man of God denied his very Lord three times.

Nine months in Mamertine Prison, the darkest of places with no sunlight, no fresh air to brush across his tired face, Peter was in no fear. For he had served his Lord well in his remainder years.

On the day it came for his death by crucifixion, we are told that Peter, feeling himself unworthy to emulate the Lord Jesus, requested the upside down crucifixion.

A Christian is defined by his or her association to Christ. Born again into association; joint heirs because of association. Reviled and martyred because of the association.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ~~~Galatians 2:20

P.S.: Though tortured and mocked, Peter taught the gospel to his captors, some of whom came to believe. These two, Processus and Martinianus are named. There were forty-seven others who came to know Christ because of Peter's witness in prison.

And the faith goes on...

λ . δ .