Failing Someone You Love

There was no doubt that Peter loved Jesus. He was passionate in his commitment to follow Him and in his defense of Him even to the point of extreme behavior - remembering his confrontation with the temple guard in the garden of Gethsemane. So what happened in the early morning hours of the night Jesus was arrested?

In Matthew 26 we read the account of the last supper and the words of Jesus proclaiming the meaning of the bread broken and the cup poured out for the forgiveness of sins. It was after supper on their walk to the Mount of Olives that Jesus told His disciples that they would all fall away on account of Him that night, to which Peter responded, "Even if all fall way on account of you, I never will!"

He was confident. Maybe overly confident in his own strength. The night grew long. He got tired. Instead of praying he fell asleep. We've all been there. Suddenly he was wide awake when they took Jesus away. We have to give him credit for following the group who arrested him and keeping an eye out for Him. But then the inevitable happened. A servant girl thought she recognized him and he was filled with fear. Or was it shame? Or the desire to impress? Three times he swore that he did not know Jesus. The rooster crowed and, remembering what Jesus had said, he broke down and wept bitterly.

This story may show us something about being overly confident or thinking that there are sins we could never commit. However, the bigger lesson here is what follows after the death and resurrection when Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love for Him - not just once, but three times. He was forgiven!

Isn't that the wonderful message of the cross? The fact the God who made us and knows our weakness, provided a way for redemption and forgiveness to all who will receive. Old Testament times provided a shadow of what was to come when the Law required a perfect lamb to die for the sins of the people. Today we can have forgiveness through the death of the perfect Lamb who willingly gave Himself for us.

The story of what happened after the garden is one that can encourage us in that, if we have failed someone we love, repentance can bring about forgiveness and a restored relationship, stronger than before because it is based on being loved rather than our own merit. Peter went on to experience intense persecution without ever losing his zeal or his love for His Lord.