And Such Were Some of Youናሙና

The Passionate Denier

Jesus’ heart was heavy as he shared the Passover meal with his disciples. He knew Judas was about to betray him, and his arrest and crucifixion were imminent. The weight of the world’s sin was literally on his shoulders, and a moment later, the disciples started to argue about who among them was the greatest. Perhaps it was Peter’s somewhat sarcastic boasting that rang out the loudest because Jesus immediately addressed him.

“Simon, Simon…Satan’s been demanding to have you. He wants to crush you and your faith. But don’t worry, I’ve prayed for you, that your faith will not fail, and when you return to me, I want you to strengthen your brothers.”

Return to me? How could Jesus say such a thing? Hadn’t Peter proved his undying love and devotion? He had left everything to follow him. He adamantly responded, “I’ll never leave you, Lord! I’ll even go to prison and die for you.”

Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s defection was full of nuclear statements. Peter glossed over the fact that Satan had been seeking permission to sift him like wheat or that his faith was in danger of failing. What was truly unfathomable was that his devotion was being called into question.

A few hours later, Peter denied Jesus. Mid-sentence, in his third denial, he heard the rooster crowing, and he remembered what Jesus had said. He locked eyes with Jesus from across the courtyard, and he knew that Jesus knew. The look on Jesus’ face and realizing what he had just done nearly destroyed him. But Jesus had prayed for him.

In the moment of Peter’s sifting, he must’ve wondered if he would ever be useful for the kingdom again. His failure was so great; how could God restore him? But Peter’s story wasn’t over.

Those who’ve been sifted know that it’s out of failure we gain greater dependence on Christ and greater usefulness. Peter had trusted in his own strength to remain faithful, but it was Jesus’ prayers for Peter that kepthim from losing his faith. When we belong to Christ, he keeps our faith from failing, too, and as Peter later wrote, after we’ve suffered a little while, God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. No matter what you’ve done or how far you’ve fallen, Peter’s denials remind us there is no ruined life that Jesus can’t restore and redeem.

We’ll revisit Peter at the end of this series. But if you feel a similar sense of failure, remember Peter wasn’t left sifted; the Lord later restored him. God’s still writing your story, too. How does the fact that Jesus prays for you encourage you in your trials or siftings?