Coincidence or for a Purpose?Sample

Peter

He was a follower of Jesus. He was a friend of Jesus. Yet in Jesus’ greatest moment of need, he denied even knowing Him. 

Not once.

Not twice. 

But three times. 

Not in the face of a soldier. 

Not in the face of an aggressor. 

But in the face of a young girl Peter denied Jesus because he was afraid of what it might cost him if he didn’t. 

Surely this story of failure cannot get any worse, right? It is then we read in Luke 22 that Jesus made eye contact with Peter at the moment following that third denial. It is then the Bible says that the weight of guilt from the magnitude of his failure caused Peter to go out and “weep bitterly.” 

Have you ever done this? Afraid of admitting you’re a Christian to the point that you act like you’re not? Or worse, say that you’re not? We are called to be a witness for Christ (1 Corinthians 5:18, 20) and when we aren’t we fail like Peter did that regrettable night. 

Forget what we would have said to him, Peter believed himself that God would not and could not ever use Him again. Bringing about a purpose from such a failure was not something Peter even believed possible in the days following.

Then Jesus rises from the tomb. He meets with Peter personally and offers him renewal, restoration, and purpose. As a wiser, older man, God would use Peter to write the words, “Be ready always to give to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). 

A lesson learned from a victory is easily claimed as evidence of one’s own strength. A lesson learned from someone else is easily cast aside later as “true for you but not for me.” However, a lesson learned from a failure is one Peter did not want to claim nor could he ignore but I believe one he was thankful to God for because of the warning it would bring to others. 

Was it a coincidence that it was Peter writing those words in 1 Peter? In our eyes maybe. But in the eyes of God even our failures in acknowledging our faith in Him is one God can use to strengthen the faith of others. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Peter made the choice to deny Christ and suffered the consequences of shame and guilt. But He also repented and God used him for a purpose. Will you allow that to be true in your life as well?