Friday Thought -- February 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.  When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.  ‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,’ she said.  But he denied it.  ‘I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,’ he said, and went out into the entryway.  When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, ‘This fellow is one of them.’  Again he denied it.  After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’  He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’  Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him:  ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’  And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:66-72)

There are very few men or women in the Bible that are portrayed as being as bold and brave as Peter is.

Peter is the only one of the disciples who gets out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus.

Peter is the one who answered Jesus’ question so clearly and boldly when Jesus asked who the disciples thought He was.  Peter was unafraid to put his opinion out there for everyone to hear, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Peter is the one who challenged Jesus when Jesus said He was going to be killed.  Peter declared that he would never allow it to happen.

Peter is the one who grabbed his sword and quickly cut off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus.

Peter is the one who jumped out of the boat and ran to the shore when he saw that it was Jesus was there.

And you may be able to think of other stories in the Bible that are similar.  Peter is brave.  Peter is bold.  Peter is unafraid to declare his allegiance to Jesus.

So, what happened in the courtyard of the high priest?  What made someone so brave be so quick to deny even knowing Jesus?

If someone as bold and brave as Peter could so quickly turn to deny Jesus – then I need to be careful.  I’m not nearly as brave and not nearly as bold and not nearly as unafraid as Peter was.

Even the strongest can waver.  Even the strongest can sin.  Thank God for the grace that brought Peter back.  Thank God for the grace that’s available to you and me when we fail, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve