“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.  And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.  A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.” (Luke 22:54-57)

     Peter denied knowing Jesus, and we read how “Peter followed at a distance,” which was one of the first clues that he didn’t want his association with Jesus to be known.  Upon realizing his guilt, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (vs. 61) Every denial Peter made took place, just as the Lord predicted.  At that point Peter “Went outside and wept bitterly.” (vs. 62)

     Peter had a great amount of remorse because of his denial.  Earlier, he made it sound like this would never place.  “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33) Perhaps Peter convinced himself that he would never deny Jesus, but in his weakness, he failed.

     Following Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus restores Peter.  Peter is redeemed because the Lord was not “done” with him; far from done!  If we have denied Jesus in any way, he is not done with us.  He can still use us, because the world is still very much in need of the love of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess that I have denied you more times than I can count, through my words (or lack of words) and through my actions (or inaction).  Please forgive me and give me the courage to claim your name in the most honorable way.  Amen.