BibleProject | Holy Week & EasterSample

Grace Wipes Away Bitter Tears

What do most people think about forgiving people who make mistakes? They’d probably say that’s reasonable. But what about forgiving people who don’t deserve it, people who choose evil on purpose?

When Roman soldiers surround Jesus, his disciples run for their lives (Matt. 26:56). Just one day prior, when Jesus said he would be killed, Peter said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you” (Matt. 26:35). Every other disciple promised the same, but when swords come out, everyone scatters.

Peter follows behind Jesus, tiptoeing in the shadows and sneaking into a courtyard to watch Jesus face trial before Israel’s high priest, Caiaphas. But in the courtyard, people start recognizing him. “You too were with Jesus,” a servant girl says (Matt. 26:69). Peter denies it. Another servant girl says the same. Peter denies it again, but it doesn’t work. “Even the way you talk gives you away,” they say (Matt. 26:73).

Peter denies it a third time, but now a rooster crows and wakes him up. Rather than loving Jesus and telling the truth, he chose to leave Jesus and lie.

Matthew says Peter “wept bitterly” when he realized what he had done (Matt. 26:75). Imagine the anxiety and pain he must have experienced. Peter knew that Jesus had been forgiving his mistakes for three straight years, without fail, but this one felt different. This was intentional sin.

Peter likely wondered if he was even forgivable. Like us, he had assumptions about who deserves forgiveness and who doesn’t. And people who choose evil aren’t usually in the “deserves forgiveness” category.

That’s where God’s grace as an unearned gift of love can awaken us even more than Peter’s crowing rooster. See in today’s video how Scripture describes grace, and notice especially how grace flows from God’s delight and love for people, not a person’s merit.

When he’s weeping bitterly, Peter probably doesn’t know that Jesus has already forgiven him. They meet again after Jesus’ resurrection, and Jesus accepts him lovingly. Peter responds with three renewed declarations of love for Jesus (John 21:15-17), countering his previous three denials. Jesus’ gracious welcome proves that nothing can separate Peter from his love, and the same is true for everyone God has created.

Reflection Question

• Have you ever made a mistake that feels beyond forgiveness? How might Peter’s story encourage you? And what could it look like for you to extend that same grace to others, deserving or not?