Read Luke 22:47-62

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61–62)

What a night of sorrow, faithlessness, cowardice, and shame! The shepherd had been struck and the sheep had been scattered. The Master had been betrayed into the hands of sinners by one of His own, and Peter the Rock had denied Him not once, but thrice. As Christ heroically sat at the mercy of the demonic forces being interrogated and wounded for our transgressions, Peter could not show an ounce of courage — not even to a servant girl less than half his size (see Luke 22:56).

Was this the same Peter who had the courage to walk on water? Yes, it was that Peter (see Matthew 14:29). The same Peter who proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Yes, it was that Peter (see Matthew 16:16). The same Peter who promised that he would go to prison and even die with the Lord? Yes, it was that Peter (Luke 22:33).

Yet it was also the same Peter who began to sink on those stormy waters when he considered the wind and the waves. It was also the same Peter who moments after his great confession was rebuked by Jesus for not being mindful of the things of God. And here again, it is the same Peter who, on the same night, said he would follow Christ even to death, ended up denying Christ altogether three times.

Oh! — how quickly our courage leaves us when we become mindful of the things of man rather than the things of God. Peter was nothing like Judas the betrayer — but I’m sure he felt like Judas.

But all of this comes to a climax in one single moment. Peter was still in selfish defense and sinful denial when suddenly and unexpectedly he caught a glimpse of the Lord’s tender gaze at him. How his conscience must have melted like wax to see the now bloodied and beaten Christ looking into his eyes with love, and knowing what he had done. He had rejected his King to the fullest measure all while His King was paying his ransom. It was at this moment that Peter remembered the prophetic words of the Lord and went out to weep as bitter as any man could.

Had this been the end of the story we might all have felt as hopeless and bitter as Peter, for we are all like him. Praise be to God that his sinfulness was not hopeless. For the Lord Jesus had also told Peter at that same hour:

“…I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:32)

The Lord Jesus would take that weeping man Peter and in 50 days’ time transform him into a vessel empowered by the Holy Spirit. He would take his heart full of self and give him a heart of Spirit. The man of denial was turned into a man of fire! From cowardice to courageousness; from a weeping man to a preaching man; from bitter tears to brazenness leadership. Amen!

The Lord knows our beginning and our end. He knows all of the times we walk on water and the times that we sink; all the times we proclaim His name greatly and the times we shrink — and yet in all these things, the Lord has prayed for us in order that we might be more than conquerors through Him who loved us! Our sin does not define us, the cross of Christ does!

Yes, His merciful look upon your soul should always produce godly sorrow leading unto repentance, but He does not desire you to remain in that state of soul-bitterness. He paid for sin and wants you to cast it all at His feet so He can lift you up.

Praise God today that He ever lives to make intercession for you in order that your faith should not fail!

“…And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…” (2 Corinthians 2:14)