“Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?……..Take care of my sheep. ”  John 21:15,16

 I’ve been enjoying the story of Peter in the gospels!  It gives me hope for myself and those who have failed the Lord and then been restored.  In Matthew 26:35, Simon Peter declares, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”  Mark’s gospel records that Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.”  Only a few hours after this conversation, Peter was put to the test!  Peter was a man of action, a leader and a communicator. He was impetuous at times and had more words attributed to him than all the other disciples put together!  Perhaps Peter needed a lesson in humility!

After Jesus celebrated the last supper with His disciples, they crossed the Kidron valley and entered the olive grove of Gethsemane.  Soon Judas appeared guiding a detachment of soldiers and leaders from the chief priests and Pharisees.  They carried torches, lanterns and weapons to arrest Jesus.  Simon Peter came to Jesus’ aid and cut off the servant of the High Priest’s right ear.  I wonder what type of sword Peter was carrying?  In Peter’s defense, he was willing at that moment to die for Jesus.  The soldiers could have killed him on the spot!  Jesus healed the man’s ear, and so defused the moment.

It says in Matthew 26:56, “All the disciples forsook Him and fled.”  However, as Jesus was arrested and taken to Annas, Peter and John were among the crowd.  I love it that Peter did not forsake Jesus at that time!  John was known to the High Priest, whether he was a relative or family friend, we don’t know, but he was able to gain access.  I wonder how Peter felt standing in that courtyard?  He was just a fisherman from Galilee with his rough clothing and Galilean accent.  Whenever he opened his mouth, his speech gave him away.   He must have been fearful that the soldiers would discover he was a follower of Jesus and the same man who assaulted the servant of the High Priest.  So Peter took the easy way out.  When a servant girl questioned him, and a soldier standing by, he denied knowing Jesus.    He even used oaths and curses in his denial!  At that moment, the cock crowed and Peter remembered the words of the Lord!

As Jesus was led through the courtyard, He turned and LOOKED at Peter.  Peter was immediately repentant and went out and wept bitterly.  Perhaps he remembered Jesus’ warning that Satan would “sift him like wheat.”   Jesus wasn’t surprised, He knew Peter would deny him, He had predicted it!  But Jesus also knew the future and saw what Peter would BECOME!  Jesus knew Peter’s heart!  “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things,” 1 John 3:20.  Jesus understood Peter truly loved Him!  He had a special work for him to do, but Peter needed to learn humility.  “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  Peter replied, “Lord, you know all things, you know that I love You!”  Jesus said, “Feed My sheep!”  John 21:15,17.

In Acts 2, after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter preached to the crowd and 3,000 people accepted the gospel  message and were baptized.  The rest of Peter’s story is found in Acts 1-12.  God used him mightily for the salvation of many souls!

Thank you Lord for repentance and restoration!  Peter’s story gives us hope!

Your friend, Jean