Original Artwork

Peter's Denial

Artist: Ron DiCianni

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SYNOPSIS:

Just before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied he ever knew Jesus. On one hand, we can relate to Peter, after all, his life was on the line. But on the other hand, it is easy to point a finger at Peter and say, “I would never do that.”

The fact is that many of us have denied Christ at one time or another when much less than our lives were at stake. Perhaps our pride, our social status, or even a friendship hung in the balance or perhaps we thought it wouldn’t have made any difference at the moment. Peter’s Denial places us, modern man, into Peter’s place on that day he denied his Savior. It serves as a reminder that there is no reason or excuse to ever deny Christ. After all, He gave His life for us.

ARTIST NOTE:

The denial of Peter, unlike mine, is well known. At the time Jesus needed a friend the most, Peter made a hasty reaction to put their friendship on hold.

It’s easy to read Peter’s story and want to condemn him, because what he did was wrong. It will always be wrong to pretend not to know Jesus Christ, if in fact you do. As in my painting, I would not have wanted to be on the other end of that look Jesus gave Peter. And look closely into the fire beside Peter, you can see Satan’s face ghosted into the flames. Every time we deny Jesus, we put a smile on the face of our enemy.