I just can’t seem to get the Apostle Peter out of my mind lately. He walked with Jesus for three years. He walked with Jesus on the land and the sea:
“Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”[Matthew 14:29]
He experienced things that we may never experience:
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he [Jesus] was transfigured before them…” [Matthew 17:1-2a]
Additionally, Jesus correctly prophesied that Peter would deny Him:
“Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 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 have disowned me three times.’And he went outside and wept bitterly.” [Luke 22:60-62]
Recalling Peter’s denial of his Lord is an informative review of history, but what does it mean to us? Simply this–Peter was a witness to hundreds of miracles and healings as he lived with Jesus for those three years. And yet, when fear and doubt were present, he denied even knowing Jesus. But in spite of Peter’s failings, Jesus forgave him. So if we ever have fears and doubts, we can be confident that Jesus will also forgive us, just as He forgave Peter. We did not have the advantage of living with Jesus for three years, and yet we are blessed:
“Then Jesus told him (Thomas), ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” [John 20:29]
Blessings,
–Keith