Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”
But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”
Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Strange People, Amazing GraceJesus calls the strangest kinds of people to be leaders in his world-wide restoration movement. Overconfident and susceptible, that’s the kind of man Peter was. He insisted that he’d follow Jesus to the death. But in the heat of the moment, when sudden public pressure and personal weakness collided, he called down a curse on himself if he was lying about knowing Jesus.
Some years later, though filled with the Holy Spirit and a bold and effective preacher, Peter continued struggling with this susceptibility to public pressure that suddenly arises and demands an immediate response. Paul tells the tale. He and Peter were enjoying a church dinner with Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians when several Jewish Christians showed up. They immediately took offense at Peter’s non-kosher choice, who responded by caving into the pressure and separating from the “dirty pork eaters.” Read the story in Galatians 2:11f.
On some days I am strong like Peter. I say the right things. I do the right things. I am strong, confident, and obedient. But there are also times when saying and doing the right things fall prey to the pressures of the moment. My tongue wags out the wrong words. My actions leave people wandering about my spirituality.
On some days I just wish God would brush me aside and set me free of his persistent call to be a spiritual leader in his restoration movement! I try to tell him, “I’m not the kind of person you need.” Then he asks me if I love him. Of course I do, with all my heart. Then he tells me, like strange and susceptible Peter, to feed his sheep. That’s grace!
God of amazing grace, you call the strangest, unlikeliest people to become spiritual leaders. Flawed, quirky, and in need of occasional confrontation, we are yours. Use us as you see fit and for as long as you see fit. Though like Peter, I’m yours. - Mike Leamon
Hidden WordsPeter had heard it all before. His teacher had warned him about making foolish choices in the heat of the moment. In the classroom those words sounded hollow, yet he had internalized them and repeated them on the examination. Peter was a good student, albeit one who challenged the status quo occasionally.
Peter grew up in a Godly home where morals were taught early and the principles of honesty, loyalty and discipline were engrained in children at an early age. God’s word was an important part of life for Peter as well. There had been a time during his teen years he wandered a little from the teaching of his parents but he had come home in his faith when he married.
Scripture memorization was an important aspect of his childhood. He had forgotten much of what he learned but not all. He still would hear the words of Scripture come to mind when he faced difficult situations. He knew Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
As Peter warmed himself by the fire the words of his Lord, his God; his Friend were whirling about in his head. Surrounding the cloud of words was a whirlwind of questions. Then there were the incessant questions from those around the fire with him. Finally he could stand it no longer, he needed quiet to sort out all the questions and he cursed them, denying his association with Jesus.
Then the words returned, clear and loud. His words of loyalty and Jesus’ prophesy of denial. The hidden words of Christ brought instant conviction and grief. Peter, weeping, runs.
While Mark will not include the restoration of Peter, the Gospel of John will. There is forgiveness for sin, even denial. Jesus’ words bring conviction but also healing.
Jesus, I thank you for giving us your word, and for being the Word that brings conviction, life and healing to my life. Your Word is wonderful. - Dan Jones
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