Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
John 13:37-38 (ESV)
Peter was confident that nothing would cause him to deny Jesus. He would even lay down his life for Jesus. And he backed up that claim, at least initially. When the crowd came to arrest Jesus in the garden, Peter sprang to his defense, wielding a sword. Until Jesus told him to stop. And Peter followed Jesus into the lion’s den, where he found himself surrounded by enemies.
And it was there that his confidence faltered. Three times he was asked if he was with Jesus. And three times he denied that he knew Him. Then the rooster crowed, and he realized what he had done. And he wept bitterly.
I would like to believe that I would die before denying that I knew Jesus. If someone stuck a gun in my face and gave me the choice to deny Christ and live, I believe I would remain true to Him.
But how often do I deny Jesus in other ways? I call Him my Lord. But when I fail to obey Him, have I not denied His lordship in my life? When I allow other priorities to get in the way of following Jesus, have I not denied Him? Do my words and actions honor Him as Lord? Or are they a denial?
Peter failed Jesus, denying that he knew Him. But that was not the end of the story. Jesus drew him back and used him in helping to establish His church. And I am thankful that, even when I fail, Jesus loves me and continues to draw me to Himself. And He continues to use me in His kingdom’s work.
