Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell
you, before the rooster crows you will disown me three times.”
John 13:38

Throughout Jesus' ministry we find Him surrounded by some of his closest friends. One
of his closest friends was Simon Peter. Throughout the gospels we see how Peter was
a witness to many miraculous things Jesus did.

● Peter was beside Jesus when He performed His first miracle of turning water into
wine at the wedding feast (John 2:1-12).
● Peter watches Jesus heal his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39).
● While crossing the Sea of Galilee, Peter would one minute watch his exhausted
Messiah take a nap and the next moment witness in amazement how Jesus
would suddenly calm the raging storm that was threatening their lives
(Luke 8:22-25).

Peter was a leader and not shy to speak his mind. We see his boldness when he tells
Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37). However, Jesus notices when our
mind and our heart are in two different places, and that was the case for Peter.

As Jesus stood on trial before the religious leaders and Roman authorities, the pressure
of being associated with Jesus got to Peter. When questioned about being a follower of
Jesus, Peter denied it three different times, finally saying, “Man, I don’t know what you
are talking about!” As soon as those words left Peter’s lips, the rooster crowed and the
Lord turned and looked straight at Peter (Luke 22:60-61).

Praise be to God the story does not end there! After Jesus’ resurrection He and Peter
have a moment of reconciliation where Jesus reinstates Peter’s purpose to expand the
gospel. Jesus saw the man Peter would become.

Thank You Father, that You are able to forgive us and reconcile our relationship
even after we deny you with our words or actions.

Charity O