Peter's Failure Wasn't Final

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me...But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)

(Just a few hours later) Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.   (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter followed Jesus at a distance. He was confused, fearful, grieved, and utterly in anguish over the loss of his beloved Master. Peter’s denial, failure, and bitter tears reveal human vulnerability in a real and raw way. Peter recklessly ignored Jesus’ warnings, fell asleep rather than to his knees in prayer, and denied Jesus three times. He wept bitter tears.

Striving in his own strength, Peter failed miserably. The same is true for us today. We can never be strong enough to overcome life’s challenges by trying harder.

Only when we come to the end of ourselves and turn to Jesus can we persevere. What difficulties do you face? In what ways are you trying to power through in your own strength? How has God exposed your weakness and allowed failure to draw you to Himself? Will you fall on your knees in fervent prayer to the One who hears your cries for help?  

Peter did and it made all the difference. 

(Lesson from Bible Study Fellowship International)