“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there 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 firelight. 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.” Luke 22.54-62
If the Bible is anything, it is honest. Some may say it is myth, theory, or made-up stories. I believe it one hundred percent. I have based my life, career, and eternal security on these very words. And I have seen evidence of its truth all throughout my life.
But one thing I love most about it is the honesty. It is not a false picture of a beatific vision of perfect people. The Bible is honest and truthful. It shows people as they are, such as Peter in this scene, when the greatest disciple—one of the three, the rock upon whom the church will be built—denies Jesus.
Now it is hard to watch, like one of those TV shows you cannot look away from. It is hard because it is honest. It is truthful, and it is us. If Peter, who knew and loved Jesus firsthand for three years, can deny him to his face, so can we. Now I do not recommend that we do, but when we do—and we will—we also know that we can turn back immediately to him through repentance.
Peter did not deny Jesus and then years later come back to say he was sorry. Three times he denied knowing the Lord, and when he was caught, when he was found out, when he could no longer hide, he felt the immediate remorse of betrayal. “He went outside and wept bitterly.”
The only good thing about a believer sinning is the immediate opportunity to repent. This is what we do, and this is why Jesus died. Christ, who had been arrested in the house of the high priest—not a guest but a prisoner—was in the middle of making redemption history. His subsequent death would ensure that all who confess are forgiven. Not by our own deeds of remorse, but by the blood spilled of the perfect, blameless, and spotless Lamb. God received the sacrifice of Jesus as remission for every sin in human history—past, present, and future. The way we gain access to this forgiveness is by grace through faith. We believe and we confess, and at the moment we do, all heaven is moved to erase not only the mark of our sin but the memory of it.
Peter turned on his Lord, and it is so painful to watch. At the moment of Jesus’ need, his friend, companion, and disciple turned away. But then he immediately turned back in grief, confession, and remorse.
If Peter could return to Christ, then so can we. And if Christ could forgive and redeem Peter, then he can do the same for us.
Turn to Jesus this day. Find yourself believing and confessing and receiving bundles of grace beyond what you hope for or deserve.
“O Lord God, you are good. Come now, Holy Spirit. Help me walk in the way that leads to life eternal. I praise you, Lord, for dying for me and for the sins of the world. Come now; help me to make my dwelling place with you, under the shelter of your almighty hand. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.