Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Words are cheap. It is easy to make verbal promises, but just as easy to break them. How often have I promised God to never commit a sin again, only to go ahead and do it later? In this chapter, Peter promises to never disown Jesus: "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" (verse 35). Yet just a few hours later he does disown Jesus, three times. When we fail like this it is easy to beat ourselves up and feel like scum. Certainly a good measure of godly sorrow is appropriate. But God also knows our weaknesses, and loves us despite them. In this case Jesus knew Peter would fail, so he tells him up front (verse 34), but also promises to meet him again in Galilee (verse 32). This is good news, that God does not disown us even when we temporarily disown Him.
Lord, thank you for Your great mercy, even when we don't deserve it.
31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Words are cheap. It is easy to make verbal promises, but just as easy to break them. How often have I promised God to never commit a sin again, only to go ahead and do it later? In this chapter, Peter promises to never disown Jesus: "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" (verse 35). Yet just a few hours later he does disown Jesus, three times. When we fail like this it is easy to beat ourselves up and feel like scum. Certainly a good measure of godly sorrow is appropriate. But God also knows our weaknesses, and loves us despite them. In this case Jesus knew Peter would fail, so he tells him up front (verse 34), but also promises to meet him again in Galilee (verse 32). This is good news, that God does not disown us even when we temporarily disown Him.
Lord, thank you for Your great mercy, even when we don't deserve it.