Jesus had just told His disciples that that night they’d abandon Him and run for their lives. Not wanting to be called a coward, especially in front of others, Peter puffed out his chest and said, “Not me. I’ll stand with You even if it costs me my life. These other guys may scatter, but not me. You can count on me.” Scripture indicates that “all the other disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:35). They were so confident in themselves.
We probably would have voiced our resolve if we had been there, too. Many times, I’ve thought more highly of myself than I should have, only to be disappointed in myself. My most oft-quoted verse in the Bible is 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” John was addressing people who had a personal relationship with Jesus, people who, in spite of knowing better, had surrendered to the wiles of the flesh.
This was the occasion when Jesus told Peter that before the next sunrise, he’d deny Him three times. But the Lord also said something remarkable to this proud and bumbling disciple. Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)
Do you realize that Jesus knows you better than you do? And He knows when you will fail to live up to His standards. But He speaks to each one of us who know Him as our Savior, “I have prayed for you. And when you turn back, I still can use you to advance My Kingdom.” Those two phrases offer such undeserved hope. “I have prayed for you.” and “When you have turned back.” Jesus prays for you and me. “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Like the father in His story, Jesus is always waiting expectantly that from the pigpen of our own doing, we will “come to our senses” (Luke 15:17). Like the son in the story, Peter thought his denials of knowing Jesus disqualified him from any future service for the Lord. His shame overwhelmed him. He couldn’t believe that he had been such a coward. But the silver lining is that Jesus knew that eventually, Peter would “turn back.”
You will recall that after Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to the disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. There, He cooked breakfast for the men. I’m sure Peter was embarrassed and ashamed. But Jesus said to him three times (probably for each denial), “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
If you have thought your past failures have sidelined you from being of any use to the Lord, Peter’s example reminds you that Jesus prays for you and that He still has good plans for your life. I John 1:9 is for the broken and humbled failure, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus’ blood atoned for our little sins, and big sins, all of them.
No Comments
Leave a comment Cancel