Jesus Revealed Pt. 17 - Abandoned - Really?Shembull

Peter denied Jesus the Second and Third time  

Thoughts on the Passage

This is a tough passage to read. Peter who was so strong in his desire to demonstrate his love for Jesus – fails miserably.

Start by looking again at the difference between Jesus’ response to the accusations and Peter’s responses. In the last note, we see Jesus answer with calmness and integrity. Peter is overwhelmed by the moment and denies Jesus. 

Second, Peter forgets. He forgets that Jesus told him that this moment was coming. After the third denial, Peter remembers and his confidence is shattered. Everyone of us will face moments like this. Our trust in our abilities will be greater than what we are capable of doing. We will come short of promises we make, lack strength to finish things, or just never reach our goals. Peter comes face to face with it.

Third, Jesus turns and looks at Peter. I do not know what that look said, but I can imagine. Jesus turns from His own great trial to connect with Peter who has just failed in his trial. I do not think it was a look of sadness – Jesus already knew it would happen. I think Jesus was listening for the rooster to crow and then looked for Peter. Jesus looked at Peter to let him know that He, Jesus, was not abandoning him in this moment of failure. It may have been a look of love, it may have been a look of sadness, or the look may have conveyed another emotion. We just do not know. However, Jesus promises in His Word that He will never leave us or forsake us – I think that Jesus’ look said that.

Fourth, we see how the response to failure is different with Judas and Peter. They both denied Jesus. They both had deep remorse. Judas let it destroy him. Peter, did not.

Application

Today, If you face a friend who has let you down, abandoned you or failed you, choose before it happens how you will respond. Will it destroy your relationship? Will you allow the love of Jesus to be greater than any rejection you face in your life? Choose to let the love of Jesus be greater than any failure.

When you fail (we will all fail), look for Jesus. He will look at you with a willingness to forgive.

Time to Pray

Father, today I choose to not allow the failures of people to stop me from loving them. Today I choose to not allow the rejection of people to stop me from reaching out to them with love. Today I choose…. I do not know what that commitment will cost me, but I choose. Father, strengthen my heart to never let my wounding destroy my love for Jesus and my love for those He died for. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.