Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. Matthew 26:69-70
When we think about the Apostle Peter, we think about how Jesus changed his name to Cephas which means Rock. The Catholic Church even considers Peter their first “Pope”. However just like everyone, Peter was not a perfect man, in fact his relationship with Christ was a little bumpy to say the least
Jesus prophesied to Peter that he would deny him, and Peter replied “I will never deny you Lord, I will even die for you” (Matthew 26: 35) So what happened to Peter? Well he’s a mortal human just like us all, when Peter saw what was happening to Jesus during his trial and imprisonment, he got scared and took the easy way out
I’m sure all of us, if were being honest, can relate to Peter. I’m sure there was a time when God wanted you to step out and be bold, but you coward pretending Jesus is not your Master. At one point Jesus even called Peter “Satan” (Matthew 16:23), how is that for a compliment from The Lord?
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Matthew 26:71-72
So as Peter kept trying to get closer to Jesus to see what was happening to him, more people kept recognizing Peter. “Hey your that guy who keeps preaching about Jesus” Notice Peter response “I don’t know the man”! Ouch , really? The same man you left everything behind to follow and now your denying you even know him? The same man you spent over 3 years with day and night, witnessing his miracles, and listening to his teachings
Yeah our human nature is extremely flawed. I’m not making excuses for Peter or anyone, but reality is in these sinful bodies we are very spiritually weak. Which is another reason to rejoice for the resurrection, as we will get a perfected body with no sin! (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21)
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Matthew 26:73-74
Again more people began recognizing Peter, and he got so frustrated he started cursing and swearing! Yes even an Apostle falls short sometimes! And then it happened , just as Jesus predicted the Rooster crowed , that was the sign and Peter recognized it immediately
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered everything Jesus had taught him and everything he witnessed, and he broke down in tears bitterly. What was happening? This is true repentance! If you don’t weep and cry for the sins you have committed then you haven’t truly repented
Peter was ashamed and disgusted with himself, in fact after this Peter went into hiding and figured Jesus probably disowned him. However as we read in the gospels after the resurrection Jesus came looking for Peter and even called him to build his Church! (Matthew 16:18) What a loving friend we have in Jesus!