Wednesday 27 December, 2017

66 Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the high priest’s female servants came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with Jesus, that Nazarene,” she said. 68 But Peter said he had not been with him. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said. He went out to the entrance to the courtyard. 69 The servant saw him there. She said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he said he was not. After a little while, those standing nearby said to Peter, “You must be one of them. You are from Galilee.” 71 Then Peter began to curse. He said to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 Right away the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had spoken to him. “The rooster will crow twice,” he had said. “Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Peter broke down and cried.

In this very familiar passage we have the account of when Peter denies Jesus 3 times, just as Jesus said he would.

When Peter realises that he has done exactly what he said he wouldn’t do he breaks down and weeps.

As I reflect on this I wonder what brought Peter to tears?

Was it the disappointment in doing the very thing he said he would not do?

Possibly or even probably.

But as I reflect on this, I can’t escape the thought that Peter wept, recognising that even though Jesus knew what Peter would do, Jesus still called Peter to be his disciple anyway.

The tears were a response to the true love that Jesus had for Peter.

It may not bring us to tears, but the same love Jesus showed Peter is the same love Jesus shows us.

Jesus knows all the mistakes we will make, how many times we will fail, but he still chooses us anyway.

So, the next time you make a mistake, remember that Jesus knew and he still called you anyway, so he will not reject you because of it.

Father, thank you for choosing us, even though you know the times we will fail you. Your love for us does not change because we make mistakes, but is proven true when we do, over and over again.

Written by Andrew Martin