Peter's Misery

     The story is familiar. We've heard it a thousand times. Recently a friend reminded me of it and within hours I read yet another reminder.  A reminder of Peter's misery.

“Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!” Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you that before the cock crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” Peter answered, “I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it in front of them all. “I don't know what you are talking about,” he answered, and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, “He was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it and answered, “I swear that I don't know that man!” After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. “Of course you are one of them,” they said. “After all, the way you speak gives you away!” Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!” Just then a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” He went out and wept bitterly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:33-35, 69-75‬ ‭

     Oh the misery of Peter!  With one breath declaring his undying devotion to the Lord.  Then doing just as Jesus had said he would do. He denied even knowing Him. Not once. Not twice. But three times before morning!
     Wait!  What just happened?  The memory of what Jesus had said must have echoed over and over in Peter's mind.  Peter wept bitterly in utter misery.  "How could I have done such a thing!" Peter must have thought. As memories of all he had seen Jesus do and had participated in over the last few years flooded his heart, he wept bitterly.
     The healing of the sick. The people Jesus had raised from the dead. Broken hearts mended. Ruined lives restored. Sins forgiven.  Fish and bread that had seemed to appears out of thin air!  Not just a few but enough to feed thousands!  Oh!  And how could he forget?  When he focused on Jesus he was even able to walk on water!
     But now it was like he had thrown it all away in just one night. Know anyone who has ever done that?  Have you ever done that?  With one bad decision. With one prideful action. All you had was gone. Hopeless. Never to be gotten back because too much had happened for you to get back what you threw away.
     Peter went back to his old life. Fishing. Then this happened.
   
“Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.” “We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing. As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water's edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then he asked them, “Young men, haven't you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:3-6‬ ‭

Jesus prepared their breakfast on the beach that morning. And served them. He didn't hold a grudge against Peter. He forgave him. In fact He spoke specifically to Peter.


“After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:15-17‬ ‭

     Peter went on to become a great preacher!  God was glorified in Peter's life and even in his death. Did he have to keep repenting for that one night of denying our Lord?  No. Jesus forgave him. Completely. Notice Peter was given the opportunity to declare his love for the Lord three times in that one conversation. Jesus didn't scold him or bring up the past. Instead He entrusted Peter with the hearts, souls and minds of His very own people.
     Are there things in your life you think He can't forgive?  Or He won't forgive?  Has the devil convinced you that there is no hope for you?  Are you running from Him?  Oh my friend!  He loves you so much!  Stop running away just for a second. Now look behind you. He's right there. So close you can touch Him!  And He wants to embrace you. Forgive you. And go with you as you live the amazing life He has planned for you.  Won't you come back to Him?  Today?