Peter Needed Jesus

We pause to consider in the next several lessons our Savior’s redemptive suffering and resurrection.
 
​Luke 22:54-62 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the fire light. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”  62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. 
 
SADLY, this seems to be the most remembered event of Peter’s life. Yes, it was a terrible, tragic moment in this especially anointed apostle’s life. But let’s remember Jesus’ resurrection is about living a restored new life. Jesus’ return to life is proof that our spiritual lives can return to life after even the most serious crimes against our God.
   God had chosen Peter to be the church’s first preacher and evangelist. Peter did remarkable healing and resurrection miracles, and he was the first to preach to the Gentiles.
   But before he could do those life-giving works, the LORD needed to work on Peter. Jesus told him, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32) God will sometimes permit Satan’s temptation as a tool to strengthen us. It was God’s will – his permission and his purpose – that Peter would deny him. Through the denial Peter would come to know two things: One, the weakness of his flesh. Two, the power of Jesus’ transforming forgiveness.
   Peter was forceful and it seems he was proud. He assured his loyalty to Jesus,  “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33) Peter’s firm belief in his own faith did no good. Even such emphatic human emotions are inadequate to withstand the Lord’s purpose.
   Then the insistent, “I’ll never deny you.” disciple became equally forceful to thrice deny his relationship with Jesus. In the original Greek, Peter’s words are curses. The devil wanted Peter’s faith to become chaff in the wind, a useless remnant of a once promising harvest.
   But then the sifting began to produce fruit. Peter’s first response to his crime was he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61) Grieving our sin is the first step to welcoming Jesus’ forgiveness.
   John 21 records Peter receiving that forgiveness on Galilee’s shore. Jesus lovingly and firmly commanded Peter to “Feed my sheep.” Three times the Lord affirmed Peter’s ministry. Three times Peter affirmed, “Lord, you know I love you.” Because Peter loved Jesus, he was eager and willing to receive Jesus’ love. He was ready to receive the Spirit’s anointing to preach, evangelize and heal. The summary statement of Peter’s life is not denial but faithful obedience. We can say, “Peter proclaimed Jesus to the nations.”
   How have you denied Jesus? Perhaps it was a moment of submitting to temptation. Maybe it’s been a lifetime of doubt regarding your value in God’s Kingdom. Might you focus too much on your failures and too little on your Lord?
   The Bible’s message, remember, is forgiveness and redemption. Each name recorded in Scripture represents a man or woman who needed to be sifted from their sin to receive Jesus’ salvation. This is the only way they could move forward into God’s calling.
   Be aware of evil’s persistent attacks on your faith. Be even more aware of Jesus’ call on your life. Each person is valuable to God. He teaches us he is aware how much we need him.