From Denial to Redemption: The Journey of Peter

“Don’t be alarmed,” the angel said,
“Jesus is risen!”
“Go tell His disciples and Peter.”
Mark 16:6-7

Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers,” Luke 22:31-32.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later,” Luke 22:33. Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow You now?” John 13:36. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same (Mark 14:31).

Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for Me? I tell you the truth Peter, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times!” But, don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.”

“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well,” John 13:38-14:57.

“You have heard Me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me,” John 14:28-31.

They came and seized Jesus. They led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. As he spoke for the third time to deny Jesus, The Lord turned and looked straight at him. Then, Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.” Peter went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:54,60-62).

How often fear or pride or anger…causes us to experience shame and disappointment for the way we had behaved. How powerful the force of  emotion, it causes us to react, unable to think clearly, unable to remember.

Our fallen human nature prevented Simon from truly understanding how blessed he was to be walking with Christ, the Son of the living God, Who had said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for My Father in heaven revealed such Truth to you. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” Matthew 16:16-18.

Through this heart wrenching experience, Peter was to personally learn “Love covers all transgressions!” Proverbs 10:12 AMP, for God sends His love and His faithfulness (Psalm 57:3b). How incredibly sad for those who do not share a personal relationship with God. Their very own sin hardened heart prevents them from truly understanding: When we cry out to God Most High, to God, Who fulfills His purpose for us. He sends His Word from heaven to save us from the reproach of him that would swallow us up (Psalm 57:2-3a KJV).

Peter’s behavior reflects how we allow our emotions to control the direction of our thoughts and behavior. He was to personally experience God’s Word doing exactly what He says, “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort, so a person will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow,” 2 Corinthians 2:7. 

Three times Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?” Peter was hurt, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love you,” John 21:15-17. Yes, Peter’s heart was hurting, because the behavior he displayed spoke so much louder than the words he spoke to proclaim the sincerity of His love.

Praise God, for Peter was also to experience, as we each can, God’s Word ministering to bring healing to the very core of his soul. “Peter, this is how you know that you belong to the Truth, and how you set your heart at rest in My presence whenever your heart condemns you. Remember God is greater than your heart, and He knows everything. So feed My sheep, Peter. For they too must come to know not to love with words or tongue but with action and in Truth,” 1 John 3:18-20.

Jesus said, “Peter, feed My sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:17-19.

Because he shared in a personal relationship with God, Peter experienced being set free from the shame and the guilt and the regret, the humiliation by the power of His Word of Truth. “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy (John 16:20). For those who believe in My Son are not condemned,” John 3:10.

Peter was to grow in understanding of God’s Word, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy,” John 16:21-23.

As a result, Peter lived to share God’s Word: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brethren throughout the world are underdoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:8-9). Love (respect, appreciate, value…) each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Those who love God
Are known by God!
1 Corinthians 8:3