“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“I wonder how Peter felt after he denied Jesus?”

My 13 year old son mused during our Bible time. We are reading John, and I love when I see the kids interacting with Scripture because I know it is reaching more than skin deep.

Jesus was preparing his disciples for the grief and persecution they would face because He knew the time had come for Him to be crucified and return to His Heavenly Father. After three years of constant companionship with them, He was leaving them. They would be alone yet not alone, because the Holy Spirit would come to be their Comforter and Guide.

“Lord, why can’t I follow you now?” impetuous Peter asked. “I will lay down my life for you.”

Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13, emphasis on verses 37, 38)

Some Bible translations say “deny me three times,” but disown or deny both mean to refuse to acknowledge or maintain any connection with.

And how did Peter feel when he realized that he had fulfilled the words of Jesus by disowning Him at the first hint of bodily danger?

As Peter denied Jesus for the third time, 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 disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:60-62)

God shows us so much grace. Jesus knew what Peter would do, but He also knew that Peter would be repentant in his heart, for He had told Peter that He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail him, and after he had returned that he would strengthen his brothers (other believers; Luke 22: 31-32).

In his fear, Peter faltered.

He misstepped.

Does that mean that he was done? Not leader material?

Not at all. His sin grieved him. He didn’t want to be that man. I can’t imagine anything more convicting than to make eye contact with the Savior in the moment of moral failure, but there is also nothing more reassuring because Peter knew that Christ had prayed that his faith would not fail.

Every time we knowingly choose sin, rather than disowning sin, we are denying the Lordship of Jesus. (Galations 5:24) For some followers, crucifying the flesh is a decision to give up their life once and for all because they live in persecution that will not allow a follower of Christ to live. For the rest of us, crucifying the flesh is a moment by moment, day by day decision to disown sin.

Ultimately, Peter did give up his life for Jesus. He gave it up day by day, giving up his sin, growing out of his childish ways, and following the Spirit in carrying the gospel to those to whom he was called. And after all that, Peter was crucified–an honor for his Lord.

Perhaps someone today needs to hear that their misstep doesn’t have to be the end of the matter. When you fall, don’t let your faith fail. Turn back like Peter. That is how to find courage.

Courage to confess.

Courage to do the next right thing without carrying shame for something that is forgiven.

Courage to take the comfort God has given you in your failure and offer it to someone else.

Courage to come alongside others with encouragement.

Courage to live in joy.

Courage to die to sin each day with the expectancy that comes from knowing that you are following Jesus into glory.

How did Peter feel after denying Jesus? After a night of suffering, he felt hope.

God’s mercies are new every morning. For the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

Photo was taken on a country road in Oklahoma.