The Faithful & The VileSample

Peter, the Denier

The fact that God used an imperfect screw-up like Simon Peter should give us all hope. He’s a study of mountain top successes and lowest of low failures. 

Jesus was with his disciples in the upper room sharing the Passover meal, and his heart was heavy. He knew Judas was about to betray him, and his arrest and crucifixion were imminent. The weight of the world was quite literally on his shoulders. It was then the disciples started to argue.

It wasn’t an argument about theology or who got to sit next to Jesus. Instead, the men who had the greatest privilege of walking with the greatest person were arguing about who among them was the greatest. 

Jesus said to Peter, “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? Peter’s face must’ve fallen. How could Jesus say such a thing? Hadn’t he proved his love and devotion? He had left everything to follow Jesus. He adamantly responded, “I’ll never leave you, Lord! I’ll even go to prison and die for you.”

But sadly, after he made these claims, three times Peter denied he knew Jesus. Then as he was still speaking, a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered the signal. Peter turned and made eye contact with Jesus. Can you imagine the look he saw on Jesus’ face? What sorrow! Peter was undone and he went out and wept bitterly.

This was the lowest point in Peter’s whole life. He was so heartbroken over what he had done that if Jesus had not prayed for his faith to endure and for his future usefulness for the kingdom, it might’ve crushed his faith entirely. But did you notice that Satan had to ask permission to afflict Peter? He may be a lion prowling about to see who he may devour, but he’s a lion on a leash.

This should be a great comfort for believers. If you belong to Jesus, you’ll undoubtedly get tossed and scuffed up in the jagged holes of Satan’s sieve, but you won’t fall through. When everything else falls away, you’ll find a Savior who prays for you and holds you fast. That brings us unshakeable faith and unshiftable hope.