“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, once boldly declared:

“Lord, I will go to jail with you. I will follow you.”

But when things turned dark and Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house, Peter didn’t follow closely. He kept his distance. Watching.

When someone asked if he knew Jesus, he denied it.

When asked if he was part of Jesus’ group, he said he wasn’t.

Then someone called him out—You must have been with Him… you’re a Galilean!

Peter snapped:

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

And before the sentence had even finished, a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked at Peter. And in that moment, Peter remembered exactly what Jesus had predicted.

Denial. Rejection. Distancing.

They never feel good.

Once, while working a job, I listed that workplace on a medical form. When the provider called during business hours, the person who answered the phone said they didn’t know me—and that I didn’t work there. I never got the message. When I finally followed up, I was told they had tried… and were told I wasn’t an employee.

People distance themselves for all kinds of reasons:

Fear. Pride. Convenience. Even malice.

It’s on them—but it still stings.

Sometimes, your biggest fan can become your most silent critic.

They gush about your work. They want to be part of your mission.

Then, in a critical moment, they vanish.

They don’t call.

They act like they’ve never met you.

Again—it’s on them. But it still pokes at a tender place in your heart.

They’re supportive in private, but distant in public.

Just like Peter.

When confronted, they may gaslight or deny. Loudly. Emotionally. Hoping you’ll stop asking questions.

It’s on them.

But that doesn’t erase the sadness when you see what’s really going on.

I imagine when Jesus turned and looked at Peter, His eyes held sorrow.

He knew Peter would deny Him. He had said so. But knowing it didn’t make it hurt less.

Jesus understood that Peter loved Him—

But in that moment, Peter’s reputation mattered more than his love for Christ.

Here’s the Good News:

God will never deny, reject, or distance Himself from us.

He loves us—and He’s not afraid to show it.

In the unexpected ways things work out…

In a word from a stranger…

In the eagle on the fence, or the cardinal at the patio door…

God shows up.

And He stays.

Just like sitting down with a dear friend over a great cup of coffee—

God is always ready and waiting to spend time with you.