Matthew 26:33 “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
The disciples had risked everything to follow Jesus, so when the Savior revealed they would all betray Him, their world was rocked. Then, a devoted Peter was singled out by Jesus and informed he would deny His Lord three times. Peter’s shock and hurt were evident as he adamantly denied the allegations with a pledge of, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
What an endearing, yet often overlooked denial. Peter denied he would deny! And very soon he got the chance to prove his loyalty by drawing his sword to protect Jesus from the Romans. Surely this brave act provided Peter a sense of exoneration from his Savior’s accusation.
But before the adrenaline of his heroic sword-fight wore off, Peter indeed deserted Jesus. Oh, how Peter’s heart must have longed to again be the brave sword-slinger. But for now, Peter hid in the shadows, emerging only to deny Jesus three times, just as foretold. When the rooster crowed, Peter sobbed, for he realized the man to whom Jesus had promised the keys to the kingdom was now unworthy of receiving the keys to the toolshed.
It must have been excruciating for Peter to deal with the guilt, shame, and regret of his actions. Did he agonize over his feet that were one moment being washed by Jesus and the next moment running away from Him? Perhaps he wept recalling his tongue bravely uttering allegiance to Jesus and in the next moment, fearfully denying Him.
Jesus could have harbored resentment and deemed Peter useless for His eternal purpose. But fast-forward to a resurrected Christ who instructed Mary Magdalene to go announce His return to life. Inconceivably, Christ specifically asked that Peter, despite his disloyalty, be told. Did you catch that? Christ offered redemptive love. In the Savior’s eyes, Peter was not a traitor but a redeemed child of God.
It was the amazing grace of Jesus that restored Peter to the man who had once declared, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
So, on the day of Pentecost, a mighty believer stood in front of the masses and boldly proclaimed Christ. That man was Peter; no longer afraid, no longer in the shadows, no longer a denier.
I see my life written throughout this story. Often in moments of weakness, the intentions of my heart do not match the actions of my life. I may be wholly dedicated to Christ, yet in a blink, my actions deny Him. Sisters, if this sounds familiar, do not overlook the most beautiful piece of this story: the redeeming love of a Father who desires to restore us to Him even if we fail.
Father God, we ask for strength to remain faithful even if all others forsake You and we praise You for redeeming love.
Rita Cochrane