I am not trying to defend what Peter did. However, I can understand why he did. Peter including all the disciples was scared and fearful for what was happening to Jesus and themselves. At this point, all the disciples of Jesus fled to hide from the Roman soldiers. It was only Peter at least followed the Roman soldiers who captured Jesus and took him to the house of high priest. According to the verse 54, Peter followed at a distance. He didn't want to be recognized as Jesus’ disciple and put himself in a danger. At the same time he couldn't betray Jesus by running away. Sooner or later peter was recognized by three different people who were in the courtyard. Peter dined his association with Jesus three times. At the very moment Jesus looked straight at Peter. The very person whom Peter confessed as his Lord previously was denied by his beloved disciple, Peter. However, Jesus didn't need to speak any words but looking at Peter's eyes to communicate His pain and grief of the rejection. By looking at Jesus and roster crowing Peter remembered what Jesus predicted about the very incident. AT the very moment Peter came to realization what he had done and how much it grieved Jesus. Verse 62, it says Peter wept bitterly. We know Peter truly repented of sin. True repentance brings changes. We can definitely see the transformation of Peter's life from that moment on.
We are all sinners like Peter. The consequence of sin is death. But for God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son as a sacrifice lamb to take our place. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, our sins can be washed away if we realize that we are sinners and truly repent of our sins. Our risen Lord and Savior not only forgive our sins but give us strength and power to live our lives truly transformed and victorious. Peter's story gives us hope and encouragement of Jesus using his failure as a stepping stone by which he can grow his faith in Jesus Christ.
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2 comments:
Thanks, kwijung, for such an insightful reflection. i was very struck by the way you describe peter as "following Jesus at a distance" as He was taken away the night of His betrayal.peter couldn't follow too closely for fear that he would be associated with Jesus, and yet at the same time he wanted to follow Him, not wanting to betray Jesus either. Isn't this a perfect analogy to the way many of us follow Jesus today--not too closely lest we be too "closely associated" with Jesus and christianity--an increasingly unpopular religion in america today--yet not too far away lest we be accused of "betraying our Lord". God forgive us if we ever look down on peter for his weakness that fateful night; i suppose we despise him because he reminds us a little too much of ourselves.
Thank you unni:)
You're right we are all like Peter. We try to follow him but we fail very often, but also, sometimes the distance gets further..But I think Jesus knows that we're so weak , like he did in this part for Peter.
Thank that I'm still living in Him, not too far.
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