Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?Sample

"I Will Never Fall Away!"

Every single Gospel writer records Jesus foretelling Peter’s denial of Him. We will focus on Mark and Luke’s accounts. Peter once again had a moment where he was convinced Jesus was wrong and was not afraid to tell Him so. When Jesus informed His disciples that they would all fall away from Him, Peter declared that even if everyone else fell away, he could never be that weak. He emphatically stated that he would follow Jesus to prison, and even to the death if necessary. Peter and the disciples had no idea that Jesus was talking about events that would happen within the next few hours. They couldn’t imagine a situation that would cause them to fall away from the Teacher they had come to love. That Jesus was to be imminently crucified never crossed their minds.

But Jesus knew what was to come, and He knew how those closest to Him would respond. He knew He would be abandoned by the very men who now declared their deepest allegiance to Him. He knew Peter, His right-hand man, would deny even knowing Him - not just once, but three times. This foreknowledge did not cause Jesus to push Peter away. Jesus intentionally spoke some very loving words to him to prepare him for the fallout of his actions.

In Luke’s account, we read that Jesus had been praying for Peter. Even though Satan would try to shake Peter’s faith through the coming events, Jesus did not want his failure to keep him away forever. He foretold that Peter would turn back to Him. Despite knowing that Peter would deny their friendship, Jesus still had a long-term plan and purpose for him. He was not giving up on Peter or rejecting him. Even before the failure happened and even though Peter insisted that it wouldn’t happen, Jesus had already forgiven him.

Peter thought he knew more than Jesus did. He was convinced of his own ability to stand strong in the face of opposition. But Jesus knew him completely, both his strengths and his weaknesses. Peter still had a lot to learn, but Jesus’s love for him never wavered.

Reflection:

How do you see yourself reflected in Peter’s conviction that he would not fail?

Jesus knows your strengths and your weaknesses, but His love for you never wavers. How does this encourage you?