Peter’s Tears

Peter, brash and brimming with confidence, told Jesus, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away” (v. 33). But everything changed just a few hours later.

Jesus had been arrested. Peter, lingering “outside in the courtyard” near where Jesus was being questioned, found himself confronted by a servant-girl who accused him of being “with Jesus the Galilean.” Another servant-girl told the others, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth” (vs. 69-72).

Suddenly, he no longer was so confident. Peter not only failed to acknowledge Jesus; he cursed and swore and denied ever knowing Him.

Once he realized what he’d done, Peter wept “bitterly.” The root of the Greek word here means to cut, like something pointed or sharp. Peter was an intense man; he had thought he couldn’t fail. No wonder he felt such biting pain. No wonder he wept so bitterly. He had denied his Lord; he had failed.

We can learn much from Peter’s experience. For we, too, can be confident in ourselves and our own abilities. However, even the most confident person can cave under pressure; even the strongest person can compromise.

As we trust in ourselves, we can ride a roller coaster of emotion, making promises that we cannot keep. Trying to be bold, we can still find ourselves vulnerable.

Just a few hours before Peter’s denial, Jesus gave him a real key to victory: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (v. 41). In short, Peter needed to trust in the Spirit, not in his flesh.

In your life, remember what happened to Peter. Don’t trust in your flesh. Trust in God and seek to be empowered by His Spirit. Walk in His victory.