When Peter Denied Jesus

"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are You going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.' Peter said to Him, 'Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.' Jesus answered him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." (1)

In his early discipleship Peter thought himself strong. Like in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, in his own estimation he was "not as other men are." When Christ on the eve of His betrayal forewarned His disciples, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night" (2), Peter confidently declared, "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Self-confidence misled him. He thought himself able to withstand temptation, but in a few short hours with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord.

When the cock crowed, reminding him of the words of Jesus, surprised and shocked at what he had done, he turned and looked at Jesus and Jesus turned and looked at him. Peter went out and wept bitterly. (3) The look of Jesus broke his heart and assured him of pardon. Peter had come to the turning point of his life and bitterly he repented of his sin. Never again were the old boastful assertions repeated.

There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable. Peter's fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self confidence led him to believe that he was saved, and step after step was taken down the path till he could deny his Lord. Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation.

Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, "I am saved", are in danger of trusting to themselves. They lose sight of their own weakness and their constant need of divine strength. We are admonished, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (4) It was necessary for Peter to learn his own weakness of character, and his need of the power and grace of Jesus. The Lord could not save him from trial, but He could have saved him from defeat. Had Peter been willing to receive Christ's warning, he would have been conscious of the danger and constant in prayer. And he would have received divine help so that He would not have fallen.

It was through self-sufficiency that Peter fell, and it was through repentance and humiliation that he was again established. In the record of his experience every repenting sinner may find encouragement. Though he had grievously sinned, he was not forsaken. The words of Jesus were written upon his soul, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers." (5)

1. John 13:36-38.
2. Mark 14:27.
3. Luke 22:55-62.
4. 1 Corinthians 10:12.
5. Luke 22:32.