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Peter’s Seven Great Mistakes
What happened to Peter was no fluke. He set himself up by a long string of bad decisions. Here are the seven great mistakes he made that night:
1. He talked when he should have been listening. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said that all his disciples would desert him, Peter impulsively blurted out, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Within 6 hours Peter would come to regret those brave words.
2. He didn’t appreciate his own weakness.
3. He ignored Jesus’ warning.
4. He followed afar off. He followed Jesus, but at a distance, when he should have been at his elbow. In this case, following Jesus afar off only got him in more trouble.
5. He warmed himself at the wrong fire. Peter had no business warming himself in the company of the enemies of the Lord. As one writer put it, “If his faith had not already frozen, he would not have needed to warm himself by the fire.” By consorting with those who had arrested Jesus, Peter was placing himself in a position where he would almost certainly be exposed. Peter warmed himself by the wrong fire until things got too hot for him.
6. He was unprepared when the attack came.
7. He compounded his sin by first deceiving, then denying and finally swearing. But this was inevitable. Peter set himself up for a fall and when it came, it was a big one. “O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” It is interesting to note that Peter fooled only himself. The others never really believed him. They sensed he was lying. Something in his face and the tone of his voice gave him away.
And so it was that Peter—the “Rock"—had crumbled in the critical moment. He had denied his Lord not once, but three times. It was a failure he would remember for the rest of his days. As we think of it, let us take to heart the words of I Corinthians 10:12, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”
Peter’s Getting Up Again
There were four steps in Peter’s return to the Lord:
1. The Rooster’s Crow. The gospels are unanimous on one point. The rooster crowed at the exact moment of Peter’s third denial. As the foul words flew out of his mouth—at that very instant—from some-where off in the distance a rooster began to crow.
The rooster crowed, and Peter remembered. William Hendriksen put it this way, “This hidden memory will pull the rope that will ring the bell of Peter’s conscience.”
Suddenly it all became clear. How rash he had been only six hours earlier, how cocky he had been, how confi-dent of his own strength, how sure of his own abilities. The sound of the rooster meant, “Peter, I warned you this would happen and you didn’t believe me.”
2. The Look of Jesus. Luke’s account of this story contains one detail the others omit. Luke 22:61 says that when the rooster crowed, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” Since this was the middle of the night, it must have happened just as the guards were taking Jesus from his interview with Caiaphas to his trial before the Sanhedrin. Evidently the guards were leading Jesus through the courtyard just as Peter was denying Christ for the third time. In that tiny moment of time, Peter cursed, the rooster crowed, Peter looked up and saw Jesus looking directly at him.
By this time Jesus’ face is black and blue, his eyes almost swollen shut, his cheeks bruised and covered with spittle. A trace of blood trickles from his lips. Even though it is in the dead of night, Peter can see him perfectly in the firelight. And Jesus can see him.
He doesn’t say a word. He looks at Peter who has denied him for the third time. Everything has happened just as he predicted.
A. It was a convicting look. “You said you did not know me. Look at me, Peter. Look at me. Do you not know me?”
B. It was a compassionate look. “Peter, how weak you are. Now you know that without me you can do nothing.”
C. It was a commissioning look. “Weep, Peter, and remember your words. Then go and strengthen your brothers.”
3. The words of Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke all stress that when the rooster crowed, Peter remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” It was this memory more than anything else that brought Peter back to God. Not only had Peter fallen, he had fallen after his vain boasting. It had happened just as Jesus predicted. Those words—spoken in love—had lodged themselves deep within the crevasses of Peter’s mind. So much had happened in those few hours that Peter had forgotten. But at the opportune moment, he remembered what Jesus had said.
4. Peter’s tears. The words used mean that Peter wept bitterly. They are a sign of his deep repentance. He realized at last what he had done, how far he had fallen, how his denials had hurt the Lord.
But Judas wept, too. His tears led to suicide; Peter’s tears led to repentance. Tears are good if they lead to a new devotion to Jesus Christ and a new determination to serve him. We may weep and weep, but if our hearts are not made tender and open before the Lord, our tears do us no good. For Peter, his tears signaled the breaking of his heart because of his sin. As the Psalmist said, “A broken and contrite heart, O Lord, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
A Not So Good Friday
Max Lucado has written:
“Jesus was born crucified. Whenever he became conscious of who he was, he also became conscious of what he had to do. The cross-shaped shadow could always be seen. And the screams of hell’s imprisoned could always be heard.
This explains the glint of determination on his face as he turned to go to Jerusalem for the last time. He was on his death march (Luke 9:51).
This explains the resoluteness in the words, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:17–18 NIV).…
So call it what you wish: An act of grace. A plan of redemption. A martyr’s sacrifice. But whatever you call it, don’t call it an accident. It was anything but that.”
Good Friday was not so good. We like the story of the Conquering King – but we squirm at the thought of a Suffering Servant. Yet that is what Jesus was – He was our Suffering Servant – before He became our Conquering King. We are reminded of this fact on Good Friday. It is a day of darkness. The Latin word for darkness is “tenebrae”. It can also mean “shadows”. If ever there was a day of shadows in Christian history – it was a not so Good Friday. It was a day when all light – all hope – seemed to be extinguished. The candle of Christ – the light set on a hill – was gone. The disciples were left – confused – bewildered – with feelings of defeat. Why should they have been? Did they not know the scripture? Did they not realize that He must come as a Suffering Servant – before He would return as a Conquering King. Please join me as I read the scriptures:
LEADER: "Just watch my servant blossom! Exalted, tall, head and shoulders above the crowd! But he didn’t begin that way. At first everyone was appalled. He didn’t even look human— a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.” Isaiah 52:13-14 (MSG)
LEADER: “The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.” Isaiah 53:2 (MSG)
ALL: “He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.” Isaiah 53:3 (MSG)
LEADER: “We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence.” Isaiah 53:6-7 (MSG)
ALL: “Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true.” Isaiah 53:8-9 (MSG)
LEADER: “God, God... my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere? Doubled up with pain, I call to God all the day long. No answer. Nothing. I keep at it all night, tossing and turning. And you! Are you indifferent, above it all, leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise? We know you were there for our parents: they cried for your help and you gave it; they trusted and lived a good life. And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm, something to step on, to squash. Everyone pokes fun at me; they make faces at me, they shake their heads: "Let’s see how God handles this one; since God likes him so much, let him help him!" Psalms 22:1-8 (MSG)
ALL: “Now answer me, God, because you love me; Let me see your great mercy full-face. Don’t look the other way; your servant can’t take it. I’m in trouble. Answer right now! Come close, God; get me out of here. Rescue me from this deathtrap.” Psalms 69:16-18 (MSG)
LEADER: “When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing." Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!" The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: "So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!" Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.” Luke 23:33-38 (MSG)
LEADER: “The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ’Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?" Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery. From noon to three, the whole earth was dark.” Matthew 27:41-45 (MSG)
ALL: “But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 (MSG)
Good Friday was not so good. We like the story of the Conquering King – but we squirm at the thought of a Suffering Servant. Yet that is what Jesus was – He was our Suffering Servant – before He became our Conquering King. Tenebrae - it is a day of shadows – it is a day of darkness. Before the dawn – there is dark – at least it was that way on “A Not So Good Friday”.
Seven Words: A Good Friday Meditation
The First Word Luke 23.26, 32-34
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus… Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’
‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’
Is that the end, then? Are we there already? Is it time to leave? Father, forgive… Is that how it happens? We’re forgiven, and that’s it?
On the cross, Jesus forgives his enemies. Their slate is wiped clean. I can’t leave the cross just yet; I don’t know how to forgive my friends, my family—let alone my enemies.
Forgive me, Lord, that I may forgive others.
The Second Word Luke 23.39-43
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Jesus is dying, but the kingdom is still coming. It will not delay.
What did the thief say to him? ‘Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.’ This are dying thief may have spoken the greatest words of faith in the whole Bible; this dying man looks upon another dying man, and believes that this man will bring in God’s kingdom.
If that is faith, do I believe yet? Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.
Forgive me, Lord, and increase my faith.
The Third Word John 19.25b-27
Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
‘Woman, here is your son.’
If I were in your place, Lord, I doubt I’d be thinking of others. Every little pain and discomfort directs my attention inward. Yet on the cross, you see your mother and you see to her welfare. You know the pain she feels and will always feel, and you provide for her.
Forgive me, Lord, and show me how to care for others.
The Fourth Word Mark 15.33-34
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
I cannot fathom what it meant for you to say those words, Lord, what agony of spirit you were going through, what it was like to be separated from the Father when you had never before known such separation.
I know what it is like to feel cut off from God. But I made that choice. I turned away from God and went my own way. Yet you too made a choice, Lord—you chose to endure being cut off from your Father so that I too might know the Father’s love.
Forgive me, Lord, and turn my face towards my Father God.
The Fifth Word John 19.28-29
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
‘I am thirsty.’
We sometimes think you are above these things, Lord. Thirst. Hunger. Tiredness. When a child says ‘I’m thirsty’, we know what to do. We get a glass of water. But you, Lord—you are the one who gives us the Living Water! Yet you thirst.
What difference does it make if we help you? You’re going to die anyway. How can we make a difference? And when people die of cholera in Zimbabwe because of lack of clean water, or where women walk for hours just to draw water, what can we do?
Yet you said it, Lord: ‘Anyone who gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because they are disciples of mine, will certainly not go unrewarded.’ (Matthew 10.42 REB alt.)
And you said it, Lord: Anything you did, or failed to do, for one of these, however insignificant, you did—or failed to do—for me. (Matthew 25.31-46)
Forgive me, Lord, and turn my face towards those in need.
The Sixth Word John 19.30
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
‘It is finished.’
Lord, you didn’t say, ‘I am finished.’
‘It is finished.’ The work you had come to do was done. You had returned to the Father, the awful pain of being cut off was gone. You were victorious; you had done what you set out to do. You remained faithful to death, you loved your own unto the very end.
You promised that those servants who keep your word will one day hear the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ First and foremost, these words are for you.
Lord, forgive me, and keep me faithful to you.
The Seventh Word Luke 23.44-49
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’
Having done all, you take your last breath, and entrust yourself to your Father.
So often, Lord, I stand at a distance from you. I avoid obeying you if it might cost me; I fear that I do not possess a commendable spirit.
You said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ You were pure in heart; that promise is for you.
Forgive me, Lord, and purify my heart, that the promise may be mine too.
“What Shall I Do With Jesus?”
Pilate’s final question to the crowd still rings across the centuries: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus?” It the question of the ages and every person must eventually give an answer.
There are only two possible answers. I can crown him or I can crucify him. There is nothing else, no middle ground.
Let’s turn the question around and make it more personal: “What will you do with Jesus?” If he is the Son of God, then crown him the Lord of your life and give your heart to him. If he is a fraud, then by all means send him off to be crucified.
But nobody cannot decide that for us. No one can answer that question but us. The friends of Jesus cannot answer for us. Neither can his foes. Pilate tried to wash his hands, but water won’t wash off that kind of blood. We can’t claim neutrality. Either join those who crucified him or join those who follow him.
Ask the question once more: What will you do with Jesus? For once, there is no putting it off. Before long, each of us will leave this place having made a decision for Jesus or against him.
If we choose Jesus, we will never be sorry. One wonders what Pilate thought about the affairs of that Friday morning. As he looked back thirty years later, did he regret his indecision? Did he say to himself, “If only I had been stronger?” It is a good rule of life to live so you have nothing to regret later. That means following the truth when the Truth is standing before us.
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