Who would have thought that Jesus would forgive a man that had denied that he even knew Him at the time when Jesus most needed him?
After all, Peter had loved Jesus. He had been a fisherman by trade the day Jesus, the Son of God walked into his life. "Come follow me," Christ had said to him and his brother Andrew "and I will make you fishers of men." Mathew 4:18-22.
And Peter had. He left his net and followed Jesus throughout His ministry. And so what happened that morning that Jesus was to be arrested for his abominable crime of claiming that he was God's Son? Why would he deny the man he followed and loved?
Jesus had known he was going to do what he did. He had told him that he would . Peter denied that he would ever do that. And in fact, he had told Jesus that would go to prison and his death for His cause. Luke 22:33. But Jesus had went on to tell Peter that before the rooster crowed that morning, he would deny him, not once, not twice. But three times.
What happened that Peter would do that to Jesus after he was so sure that he wouldn't?
Maybe there were reasons. Maybe he hadn't resigned himself to the fact that this was it. Jesus was going to die. He was going to have to let them.kill him. Maybe there was nothing he could do.
Who really knows what was in his mind that morning. But he had done the unthinkable. And now he was very sorry. The Roman Soldiers had already come and taken Jesus away. What could he do? Try to rally the trues to break Jesus free? Offer himself as a replacement for his friend?
But he couldn't do anything. Whatever might have been in Peter's mind that morning was not in God's plan. And obviously, what had happened, was.
That didn't make Peter feel very good at all. He had denied his Lord. His friend. All he could do at that point, was weep bitterly. Luke 22:62
He had failed him.
Did Jesus forgive Peter?
How could he have not? His own teachings were about forgiveness at times. And what's more, Jesus had already told Peter in Mathew 16:17-19 that because of his faith, Jesus would build the church on him.And that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
Peter, the unworthy. In his own right a human that sinned just like all of God's people. And yet forgiven by the One that loved him. Destined to become the rock on which the church began and no matter who tried to come against it, even the gates of hell could not tear it down.
What would we have done in Peter's place? I would love think, that we would have stood right there with Jesus, facing an angry mob ready to take matters into their own hands, and not do what Peter had done. How grand a thought. But would have we?
It still could happen in such a way if this country does not get its act together and go back to what it used to be when God was at the center of so many homes.
Even now we could hide away our faith and not tell anyone for fear of what friends, family or anyone else might think of us.
However, we would always hope that we would not deny Christ and when we do, there is room for forgiveness. For He turns no one away, that is truly sorry for their sin. Just as Peter made some poor decisions in his day, so we do. But there is always room at the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for coming by today again Friends. I truly hope you enjoy your day and God bless!
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