03/30/2026
We hear the story of Peter denying Jesus three times before the cock crowed, and we think to ourselves that this man was weak of character, but do we ever look at our own lives and count our own denials? Denying can be blatant like in the case of Peter, or it can be subtle. Do you speak out when the subject of faith comes up in a group, or do you deny Jesus with your silence? When you are at a social event and someone belittles Christ do you defend Him or walk away... thus denying who He is? How about the witness you didn’t give someone when the opportunity arose, and you were afraid? Denial comes in many forms… can we overcome it by humbling ourselves and becoming strong like Jesus?
“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.”
Luke 22:61-62 ESV
If we are honest with ourselves, we are all like Peter or at very least have had moments of denial as he did. However, we should take heart because though we have failed on many occasions, there is hope for us. Peter denied Christ, but that wasn’t the end of the story, what came next was his remorse and contrition as he humbled himself... “and he went out and wept bitterly.” Peter humbled himself before God, and eventually before the risen Jesus.
Peter wasn’t a weak person; he was bold and self-assured. Do you remember his words just before Jesus told him that he would deny him? Listen...
“Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."”
Matthew 26:33 ESV
How about in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was captured and all the disciples fled? There was one that didn’t leave entirely and eventually mingled with the guards in the temple....
“And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.”
Matthew 26:58 ESV
Or think back to the two apostles that ran immediately to the tomb of Jesus when Mary told them that the body of Christ had been taken. One of those two was Peter.
No, Peter was not of weak character, and he was not one to hang back when things were happening. Peter already had the makings of the rock on which Jesus would build his church. What he was lacking was self-denial and a humble spirit. Jesus saw this conversion coming and gave Peter instructions for that moment in time.
“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."”
Luke 22:32 ESV
This conversion of Peter came at the moment of his greatest disappointment in himself, it came when he realized he had indeed denied Jesus just as he was told that he would. At that moment Peter wept, and he underwent a spiritual and life-changing moment.
So how about you and me? When we face our denials do we love Jesus enough to weep at the thought of our failure? Do we go through a life changing realization when we have failed Him, or do we marginalize that failure and rationalize it away? We like to think that our character is strong enough that we would never say, “I don’t know Him!” But is it really? Is our silence any less a denial?
God has a plan for our lives, and Jesus is prepared to do wonderful things for the kingdom of God through us, but first we have to go through self-denial... not just a denial of our faith, or Jesus, but the ultimate denial of ourselves as we place Him at the center of our lives, and as we internalize the humility that is required of us before we can let go. Have we done this yet, or are we still claiming innocence regarding our moments of silence, and spiritual inactivity?
Humility and a release of self to God is not a weakness, it is being strong enough to understand who we are, who God is, and to have the boldness of character necessary to let go of our self-assuredness and control. This was who Peter was. His humbling didn’t prohibit him from becoming the rock that Jesus spoke of... it allowed that transformation to take place. Are we able to let go? Are we able to humble ourselves as Peter did? Are we ready to be changed into rocks? Jesus can build with rocks, but mud is of little use to Him... which are we?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for opening my eyes to the true lack of strength and character I possess alone; thank you for allowing me to see that I am not strong enough in and of myself to speak boldly in dangerous times, or to proclaim aloud that you are my God, and that Jesus is my Savior, as I face those who would use my faith against me. In this realization Father, you have brought me to an understanding of myself, one in which I felt I was perfect, and have shown me that I have terrible flaws, and demonstrated the true weakness in me. Thank you Merciful God for revealing the absolute strength of humility, and the power it gives me over those who would hurt me. My humble demeanor removes the control that others have over me because in it I simply deny their dominion, and project your supremacy in my life. Help me Jesus to be like Peter, and to find in my failures, and my denials of you, the realization of my own shortcomings; then open in me the remorse and contrition that is needed as I humble myself before you, and my Holy Father. Teach me to become a rock that can be used in building the kingdom of God and remove from me the quality of uncertain mud within me, a quality that shapes itself to whatever contains it, and has no strength, and maintains no shape of its own. You are great Father, and you lead me in my obedience. You instill in me a true strength of character, and faith... one that is founded on my release of self to you. Make granite of my faith and belief, and cut me as a stonemason Father, hew me into a shape suitable to your purposes. Show me that I am thus made perfect for your use as I humbly submit myself and praise your name always. Teach me to instruct others using the words and character of a changed Peter who was made humble in the world but strong in his faith.
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Rich Forbes