Peter's heart skipped a beat. "Not me," he thought. "I would never do such a thing."

So, he puffed out his chest and declared louder than the rest, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."

But Jesus, with a look that seemed to see right into Peter's heart, gently said, "Peter, before the rooster crows, you will claim to not know me. You will deny me — not once, not twice, but three times."