Words from the Rock
Simon Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to die for you!”
Jesus answered, “Are you ready to die for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”
John 13:36–38 NCV
Remember when Peter answered Jesus’s question “Who do you say I am?” exactly right? Jesus was so pleased that he told Peter, “I’ll build my church on you.” Now Jesus is telling him that, before morning comes, Peter will deny him not once, but three times! Poor Peter. How do you think that made him feel? Or maybe he didn’t believe it. After all, he loved Jesus with his whole heart. How was it possible he could deny him three times? Yet Jesus was right—Peter did deny him three times. Sure, it was out of fear that he too might be arrested and tortured, but the fact remains.
The real reason Peter denied Jesus was because he was operating on his own strength, and that was not enough, especially when times were beginning to get hard. But later on, after Jesus’s death and resurrection, Jesus would return to give Peter and the rest of his followers a form of super strength (aka the Holy Spirit). After that, Peter would not only remain totally faithful to Jesus, he would also become that spiritual rock Jesus had described before—and an important part of the foundation of the early church.
Jesus gives second chances, and third chances, and as many chances as we need because he knows that, like Peter, we will blow it. We might even deny knowing Jesus when we’re backed into a corner. But if we return to Jesus, like Peter did, and if we allow Jesus to empower us with his Spirit, our faith will grow stronger, and we’ll learn from our mistakes. Then Jesus will be able to use us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
My Prayer
Dear God,
I don’t ever want to deny you, but if I do, please remind me that you give second chances. Please strengthen my faith by the power of your Holy Spirit so I can serve you wholeheartedly.
Amen.
Final Word
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NIV
Stone for the Journey
When I need it, God gives a second chance.