The apostle Peter has been called the most outspoken and impetuous of the apostles. Sometimes he reminds me of me, like when I speak without thinking or act before I think. Sometimes I feel the need to defend my beliefs, or my family, or someone I respect, and sometimes I do that a little too forcefully. Sometimes it is difficult to surrender to the Lord and follow Him, to turn the other cheek, to be silent, or to give a soft answer. I want to say, “Keep up with me, Lord! I’ve got this!”
In Mark 14:29, Jesus told his disciples they would fall away, but Peter had said, “I’ll NEVER fall away.” Many times, too late, we learn never to say never! Verse 31 says Peter insisted emphatically he would never disown Jesus. As He does with us, Jesus could see something worthwhile in Peter and wanted to protect him.
With his preaching time over, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare for the days ahead. While Jesus was in agony, Peter was sleeping instead of praying for strength. Jesus has warned him that he would deny that he knew Jesus three times before the night was over, but Peter felt sure he would never do that. Sometimes we get arrogant about our status as a Christian, and forget that Satan will attack us when we least expect it.
Every morning, we should put on the armor of God as we prepare for the day. As we put on the helmet of salvation, we should pray that God will give us strength for the day to stand up for Him. Like many of us, Peter was so certain that he was a true believer. He probably thought, “Don’t worry about me, Lord, I’ve got this.”
Then the soldiers came. Judas led them, and they arrested Jesus. Peter thought Jesus needed his help, so he pulled out his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. H was fighting instead of surrendering like Jesus. Jesus knew what was going on. He knew what He was doing and what the outcome would be. He didn’t need Peter’s help, so John 18:11 says Jesus told Peter to put up his sword.
Then Luke 22:51 tells us Jesus healed Malchus’ ear. If Jesus had not healed the ear, Peter could have been arrested and executed for treason! Jesus was protecting Peter and the other disciples there also. John 18:8 says Jesus told the soldiers, “Take me, and let these men go.” What a leader, protecting his followers! And He is still our Protector today!
After His arrest, Jesus was taken to the house of Annas because to the Jews, Annas held control. Jewish law said appointees were to serve until their death, so although deposed, Annas questioned Jesus about His doctrine, trying to find something so he could charge Jesus with treason. As a traitor, Jesus could be sentenced to death because that was a capital offense.
Jesus told Annas he had always been open in his teaching. He didn’t say anything about any of His followers because he was protecting them. They were not organized soldiers, and Jesus was not planning a coup or a takeover of the Roman government.
When the other disciples ran away following the arrest of Jesus, some think Peter should have run away also. Instead, he followed the crowd to see what would happen to Jesus. When he did that, he walked right into trouble, just as Jesus had warned him. And, when we follow the crowd, that is usually where it leads us.
Another disciple helped Peter get entrance into Annas’ courtyard and soon Peter gets into trouble. He walked to the fire and stood there, warming himself until two servant girls asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Then one of Malchus’ relatives said that Peter surely was one of them because he had seen Peter in the garden. Peter became frightened and swore he was telling the truth that he was not one of them.
And then the rooster began to crow. At that moment, Jesus looked at Peter and when Peter saw His face, he remembered what Jesus had said to him and he began to weep bitterly.
Peter wept bitterly because he had seen the suffering of Jesus. With his denials, Peter knew he had added to that suffering.
Peter wept because he had seen the power of Jesus. With the crowing of the rooster, Peter knew Jesus was in control. Though Jesus’ hands were tied, Peter could remember when Jesus prepared a fish with a coin in its mouth, and when Jesus rode the wild donkey into Jerusalem. Now the rooster. By controlling that rooster’s crowing, Jesus again proved His power. It was as if He said to Peter, “Look, Peter, don’t worry. I’ve got this!”
Peter wept because he saw the grace of Jesus. He knew that Jesus could forgive him and was giving him a call to repent. Peter wept and repented with Godly sorrow. Jesus restored Peter and enabled him to serve until he was martyred.
So, with Peter there was sorrow, awe and grace. Peter had resisted God’s will instead of surrendering like Jesus. We have often done the same thing. Now we have a choice. We can pretend to surrender to Jesus like Judas did, or we can fight like Peter did. The best we can do is to yield like Jesus did. His grace is sufficient for us. He is our safe harbor. With Jesus, we can feel secure. When we can see His suffering, His power, and His grace, we can trust Him.
God’s timing is always right. We need to surrender to His leading and to be patient. Nahum 1:7 reads, “The Lord is good, a refuge in time of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
May we always follow Him, surrender to Him, and trust Him when He says to us, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this!”
Joyce Broyles lives in Jennings, LA and worships with the Welsh Church of Christ.