Easter: The Cross Before and AfterSample

Denial and Failure

If we polled the audience, it is almost certain that Peter would win the vote as the number one disciple of Jesus. To be fair, we know more about Peter than we do the other disciples, mostly because of who Peter was and his role.

Peter was bold, even impetuous at times, and always seemed to be in the center of things. Sometimes he had great success, such as when he walked on water or confessed Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the Living God." At other times, he failed in a big way, like when he began to sink while walking on water or when He tried to contradict Jesus right after proclaiming Him to be the Son of God. Peter had many successes and failures, as these stories indicate. We know that ultimately, Peter was central to the spread of the Gospel and a primary leader in the first century Church. He preached the first sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he was the first to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles, he wrote several of the New Testament books, and he was most likely the source for the content of Mark's Gospel. Finally, Peter was faithful to the end, as he was martyred for his faith.

Peter is definitely a hero of the faith, but he also shows us that he had one of the biggest failures in history. When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance. He hung around the proceedings to try to see and hear what was happening. He didn't speak up on behalf of Jesus, but he was there at least. While he waited to see what was going to happen to Jesus, three different times he was accused of being a follower of Jesus. The first time he simply denied it. The second time he denied it more forcefully, using an oath. The third time, Peter went off, punctuating his denials with profanities as he "began to curse and swear” (Matthew 36:74-75)." Peter's failure is recorded in all four Gospel accounts and is perhaps the most well-known denial of Jesus of all time.

Peter's story tells us that failure doesn't have to define us or determine our future. That is very Good News! Too often, we allow our failures to define us because we don't know how to respond to situations of failure. Peter's story helps us understand what we can do when we fall.

The first thing Peter did when he failed was to own it. The rooster crowed, and Peter immediately realized what he had done. He did not try to rationalize it based on his "extreme circumstances." He didn't shift the blame or justify his actions in any way. He messed up, big time. And he embraced it. It was all on him, and he owned it.

Next, Peter took it very seriously. He grieved over it. He immediately left the area and began to weep bitterly (Luke 22:62). He didn't approach with a casual, "well I guess I blew it" attitude. There is nothing cavalier about bitter weeping. Peter grieved over his sin.

Following this, Peter repented. To repent means to turn around or to head in the opposite direction. This is exactly what Peter did, as the next thing we hear of Peter is him being with all the other disciples. He did not continue on the path of denial. He did not isolate himself from the community of faith. He returned to the place of a follower rather than wallowing in his position of failure. 

When we own our sin and grieve over our sin, then we can turn from our sin in true repentance, and restoration will occur. God will always meet repentance with grace. Peter was restored personally and privately by Jesus. The scriptures tell us that among the resurrection appearances of Jesus was one in which He came to Peter privately. What abundant grace awaits us when we respond to our failure as Peter did. We know the testimony of Peter, including his denial of Jesus. He is known as the great apostle and pillar of the early Church. Failure can't define us! If we take it seriously and own it, repent, and receive God's grace, we can be restored.