25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. ~ John 18:25-27
As he was standing around the fire warming himself, Peter's Galilean accent aided his downfall. Three times he had to deny being a follower of the Lord Jesus in order to save his rear end. And, the third time he did so, he included a pretty bad cuss word to aid his disguise. The minute he did, through the morning air there came the sound of a crowing rooster. Then, he remembered the words of the Lord Jesus that he would deny Him three times.
According to v.25, Simon Peter was standing outside in the courtyard warming himself by the fire. He is a believer among unbelievers pretending he is not one of Christ's disciples. It is hard to maintain a strong faith when we are pretending to be like the world.
Moving back and forth between Peter’s denials and Christ’s testimony before Annas, the Apostle John paints a stark contrast between the Savior and one of the most successful disciples. Peter could not stand for the truth under the circumstances. Underscored in all of this: mankind's need for a savior.
When he finally tried to get some sleep, I am sure Peter rehearsed, over and over, his cowardice. He was supposed to be a rock, but this night he crumbled into pieces. He was not who he thought he was. Shame over past failures and sins can define and inhibit us. And the enemy seeks to steal and destroy our faith by shoving our failures in our face. But the Lord Jesus' cross shadows over these types of moments in our lives.
When the Lord Jesus chose us to be His disciples, He foresaw our future failures as sure as He foresaw Peter’s. He knows what is in us much more than we. So He exhorts us along with Peter to watch and pray that we may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Note that word "WILLING." This is the greatest issue in the life of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we do fail, we must remember what the Lord Jesus said to Peter before His failure: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter was going to fail, miserably. But the Lord Jesus had prayed for him. In the end, the Lord Jesus’ prayer was stronger than Peter’s sin.
Peter’s failure did not define him. And ours will not define us. They are horrible, humbling stumbles along the path of following Jesus, who paid for them all on the cross. And the Lord Jesus specializes in transforming failures into rocks of strength.
The Lord Jesus didn't come to die for sinless people. He came to die for people who have it in them to betray Him, people like you and me. However, He will never betray those on whom He sets His love, but will love us faithfully for all time.
When the Lord Jesus chose us to be His disciples, He foresaw our future failures as sure as He foresaw Peter’s. He knows what is in us much more than we. So He exhorts us along with Peter to watch and pray that we may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Note that word "WILLING." This is the greatest issue in the life of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we do fail, we must remember what the Lord Jesus said to Peter before His failure: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter was going to fail, miserably. But the Lord Jesus had prayed for him. In the end, the Lord Jesus’ prayer was stronger than Peter’s sin.
Peter’s failure did not define him. And ours will not define us. They are horrible, humbling stumbles along the path of following Jesus, who paid for them all on the cross. And the Lord Jesus specializes in transforming failures into rocks of strength.
The Lord Jesus didn't come to die for sinless people. He came to die for people who have it in them to betray Him, people like you and me. However, He will never betray those on whom He sets His love, but will love us faithfully for all time.
I once thought I had to improve my behavior in order to maintain God's love for me. But, the whole point of the gospel is that the Lord Jesus died for the unworthy ones, like me. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That is the good news of the gospel.
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