John 18:27
Peter therefore denied it again; and immediately a cock crowed.
Have you ever attempted to disown a friend because they weren’t “cool enough” or because someone else didn’t accept them? It cuts like a knife when something like this happens. I speak from a first hand basis when I say that. There was a time in my college career when I crushed under pressure and joined in on a conversation belittling another friend of mine. There was little regret in this decision as my friends surrounded me with laughter. The amount of shame and regret that followed after my friend heard about the conversation was more than able make to up for any remorse I held back while talking about him. I pray that I will never make another mistake like that one again.
Can you imagine the shame that Peter must have felt when he heard that rooster crow? I can’t comprehend what must have been going through his mind. Not once, but three times had he denied having any relationship with Jesus. I’m sure that Christ’s words were echoing through His mind. Earlier that night Jesus had said to Peter, “Truly, truly, a cock shall not crow until you deny Me three times.” (John 13:38) Peter had promised to lay down his life for the Lord, but Jesus warned him differently. Now it had come to pass and Peter was left alone to think about his own actions.
What a scary situation to think about! I can’t imagine denying my relationship with Christ… or have I done so already? I think about the many times I have failed to take a stand for my Lord. How many times have I silenced my convictions while surrounded by ungodly conversations and unrighteous acts? How many times have I myself participated in these same situations? If the world will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another, surely they will assume no such thing by our hatred for one another, by our participation in ungodly conversations, and by our disregard for the name of the Lord.
Like Peter, it is all too easy for any of us to buckle under the pressure. Just as Peter was granted forgiveness though, we too are given the same privilege. After Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead He had a conversation with Peter. During that conversation the Lord told Peter three times, “I love you.” Because Peter was aware of his own failure and came to the Lord in repentance, Christ blessed him and reassured Peter of His love for him. I wonder how long it has been since you last came to the Lord in repentance. Judas also denied Jesus that night when he betrayed Jesus. Unlike Peter, though, Judas did not possess a repentful spirit. This failure to come to the Lord with his sins eventually led him to the grave. Have you also been guilty of denying your relationship to Jesus? Which road will you choose to go down, the path of resentment or repentance?
how this touched me heart in so many ways!
But it is also very insightful and full of truth!
So true. On one hand, it is so difficult to always chose the correct road. Ridicule and persecution await. On the other hand, when I think of what I will lose if I don’t take Christ’s road, how can any decision be easier? A fleeting moment of acceptance over an eternity of acceptance with God. The choice seems so easy – but in the moment, I have failed to choose the right course. Why? In every instance the reason has been my lack of confidence in my ability to share Christ. I must be strong in Christ – always praying, always studying the Word, always ready for battle.