Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.
Matthew 26: 74-75
I find this one of the most painful verses in the Bible. Peter is so humiliated and so disappointed with himself. He comes face to face with his own cowardice. He loves Jesus, He cares about him, or he wouldn’t be there at the high priest’s house, to see what happens to his leader. But his love is not enough to overcome his instinctive, self protection, and he lies, three times over.
These verses get me because I feel for Peter’s failure. And because I’m pretty sure that would have been me too. Jesus needed to die for Peter. Good intentions are not enough. Even with good intentions, we get frightened into betraying our own integrity. I’ve done that in conversations with people. I let Jesus down — I hide what I really think; I don’t stick up for my deepest values — in ways I am ashamed of. Jesus needed to die for me too.
I thank you, Lord, that you know me and you still love me. Thank you that you died to pull us out of the pit of guilt and humiliation we walk right into.
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