Text: Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:10, John 21:17
When I think of Peter in the Bible, I often picture him as a best friend of Jesus – someone Jesus dearly loved in spite of his flaws, as only BFF’s can do. He could be a bit of a hothead, that Peter, like the time when the high priests came to take Jesus away for trial and “… Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (John 18:10, NLT). Jesus stepped in and rebuked Peter, reminding him that this was God’s will for Him as the Son. But they were friends; and Peter would do anything for his friend.
When Jesus began the process of saying goodbye to the men He loved so dearly, Jesus foretold that they would each leave Him at some point in the coming days. “All of you will desert me,” He said (Mark 14:27).
Passionate Peter emphatically rejects the thought. He can’t imagine he would ever do such a thing to his friend, but Jesus responds to him definitively, “I tell you the truth, Peter — this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me” (Mark 14:30, NLT).
How heavy the burden on Jesus’ heart must have been to know what He was about to suffer, what He was about to feel and see, but also to know in those moments His dear brothers would leave Him – deny even knowing anything about Him. It’s one thing to hear the crowd shout “hosanna!” only to be swayed to cries of “crucify him!” days later; and for Judas, the Betrayer, to hand him over with a kiss. It’s another to watch those who are closest to Him to walk away as He prepares to die in their stead.
Yet, Jesus loved them all – enough to die for them, eyes wide open.
When Peter denied Him the third time, the Bible says, “At that moment The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind” (Luke 22:61, NLT). And Peter wept. He didn’t run back and say, “Wait, I am a disciple of Jesus!” He turned away and cried.
We can only guess that a part of Peter finally understood how weak he really was in his faith, but the years after would grow and sanctify him into a man who was deeply committed to the Lord. He was one of the first to whom Jesus appeared after the resurrection, Jesus asking Peter to “feed [His] sheep” (John 21:17). And the first chapters of the book of Acts describe Peter’s leadership role among the disciples. His sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2 lead more than 3000 people to the Lord (Acts 2:37-47)!
The same Peter who denied Christ three times is the one God used to help establish the early Church.
As you seek the Lord in the coming days in preparation for Easter Sunday, remember God’s great love for Peter. He was a disciple – a great friend to Christ – and yet he fell short. Very short. And Christ loved him still – and called him to do great work for His Kingdom!
Isn’t God good to show us over and over again, even amidst the trial of His Son, that He loves us? When we are weak, He is strong. And He wants to use us in the great outworking of His plan for His glory!
"O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me,
He gave His life, what more could He give?
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
Jesus to Calv'ry did go, His love for mankind to show;
What He did there bro't hope from despair:
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me!"
I have a voice student singing this song this weekend at a Fine Arts competition. After reading today's post this song was the first thing that popped into my mind. What an amazing Lord we serve!
Beautiful! I hope it brings back the reminder of Christ's great love for you whenever you, her, and everyone else hear it! :)
He is able!
I'm so often in Peter's shoes. Best intentions and no follow-through.
How comforting to know that I can grow and change with the Lord's help.
Amen sister. "Best intentions and no follow through" are me too much of the time… But unlike me, Jesus doesn't beat me up for it. He loves me despite it, fiercely and never-failingly. Lord, change me with your love, and help me to stop trying to change myself using strict religion and guilt. That never gives freedom like the kind you so freely, beautifully, and willingly give.
This morning, I was comforted by Jesus' mercy to Peter in John 21. Jesus gives Peter three chances to almost "redeem" himself when He asks Peter three times if he loves Him. I think Jesus was wanting to show Peter that it was ok, that all was forgiven, that he still had a future.
I am so ridiculously encouraged by Peter's story and God's grace to him. This is the man who went from a hot-headed denier to the Rock of the Early Church. How good is our God?! That He has the power to turn around someone's story THAT much?! He uses us in spite of our weaknesses and failings…they do not disqualify us from serving His kingdom.
That's beautiful mercy.
I often "flip to the end" when I read Peter's denial… I go to the scriptures that describe Jesus' forgiveness of Peter after the Resurrection. It's so comforting, and I just want to GET THERE… but now is where we are, and we must work through in order to get through.
I hate waiting. :)
Yes…I understand! Just wanting to "get there"! But knowing how far Peter fell makes his redemption all the sweeter.
I often ask God to forgive me for my unfaithfulness to Him, because He is ALWAYS good and ALWAYS faithful to me. I'm such a Peter. Praise God that he is up there interceding on our behalf and that the victory is already won!
Amen! Sarah :) Im rejoicing with you that the VICTORY is already won!
"When we are weak, He is strong. And He wants to use us in the great outworking of His plan for His glory!" Judas' weakness allowed Jesus to be seized and ultimately nailed to the Cross, Peter's weakness allowed The Gospel to be passionately preached.
Can you imagine how cocky Peter might have been if he didn't deny Christ? "Yes, that's my friend, I knew him personally, He was closest to me, we shared plenty of secrets, He always called on me for everything, I was the number one disciple." The focus would have been off what Christ did and on who Peter was. Denying Christ and recognizing his wrong ignited a burning passionate fire in Peter to preach the truth of Christ. That's just like our Savior to give beauty for ashes. Taking something ugly and making it beautiful. Our weakness for His Glory. Amen!
Amen Steph! That even our weakness and failings have beautiful usage in God's economy! Lord, thank you for giving me the trials you have. For helping me to see my utter weakness, grossness, vileness, so that your Love could even more strongly eclipse all of it right before me! Praise God, that He uses weak, broken things in the dark and transforms them by his mighty Love and light.
I have countless faults, yet He loves ME!
He will use imperfect me to further His Kingdom. Humbled.
He knew me, yet He loved me!
He, whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy, of such mercy!
Yet, when He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
He knew me, just like Peter, yet He loved me anyway by going through with Calvary! There is hope for the hopeless, grace, forgiveness and mercy for all of us today. Lord Jesus, we thank YOU!
AMEN …Nanette….He loves us…. no matter what..Thank you Jesus….x
Amen! Oh amen!