EVAN TAO

³¹On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³²But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” ³³Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” ³⁴Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” ³⁵“No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
Matthew 26:31-35 (NLT)

And yet, just 34 verses later, Peter will renounce Jesus at the first sign of danger. His promise died faster than my New Year’s Resolution. It may be easy to judge Peter, but his story is a lesson for every follower of Christ. Don’t forget that Jesus knows how the story ends. From the beginning, when Jesus first met Peter at the shore of the sea of Galilee and called him to be a fisher of men, He knew full well that Peter would fail him. I can imagine Jesus feeling the sting of Peter’s future betrayal even at their first encounter – then, extending His hand to Peter all the same.

Why was Jesus okay with that? Because three days later, on the same beach where they first met, Jesus will forgive Peter three times just as Peter denied Him three times (John 21).

On the first day Jesus met Peter, He saw his whole story: both his betrayal and his redemption, faith and fear, wrapped up into one man. When Jesus extended His hand to Peter, He had made up His mind: Despite Peter’s shortcomings, I am willing to die to forgive him.

What does that mean for us? Surely God knows you and me fully just as he knew Peter fully. He knows that we will all fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23), even though we may promise vehemently not to. And on the cross, Jesus has forgiven us for it all – even the things we haven’t done yet!

Reflection: Have you ever made a promise to God you failed to keep?

Confession: Jesus, you know me better than I know myself. You have seen the worst of me, even my future wrongs which are unknown to me, and still you love me. Forgive me for breaking my promises to you and let me never doubt your unconditional love. Amen.