Peter’s Encounter with Grace. (Part 1)

In the stories of others, we often see our own biographies. Maybe that’s why we like biographies, they are the favourite reading of many people. One reason could be that the sorrows, trials, triumphs, and disappointments offer us a sense of kinship with our own sorrows and trials.

Scripture is full of biography, and in one sense it is autobiography. It is our own story. E.g., in the last moments of Gethsemane, we can see ourselves in the sleeping disciples. Their weakness was not badness. No Christian can overcome every weakness, but we can still be accepted in the beloved.

The story of Peter’s denial is found in all four gospels – only two other stories do this (Mary’s anointing and the feeding of the 5,000). If you want to read it try Mark 14:66ff.

But let’s consider the story because it has a hidden power. In cowardice all the disciples, including Peter, had run away. Well, that’s autobiographical, how often have we forsaken the Lord. After a while Peter turned around and followed “afar off.” He didn’t want to be too involved.

Every clause in this account is dramatic. Next, he finds himself in a great quadrangle with an open roof. Peter comes and stands by the coals that were on fire. Coals are a symbol of repentance. The fire is spiked with irony. The night was cold, but the fire was hot. Peter was lukewarm – ‘from a distance.’ Loyal from a distance, close enough to see but not close enough to be seen.

Into this environment comes the big fisherman and a woman sees his face reflected in the light. She attacks him mildly. Had it been an officer of the guard Peter would not have fallen. Can you see the subtlety of the devil. He doesn’t attack where you expect him to. Sin is a cheat; it trips us up when we think everything is fine. Had Peter been put on formal trial he would have died with Christ.

This is the only incidence in the gospels where a woman is associated with the enemies of Christ. You never see one speaking out against him. “Aren’t you one of His disciples?” Before he knew it, he was trapped. He was tricked, his feet were gone from under him. That’s our life story. Most often we are caught when we are least expecting it. The only antidote is to make Christ an ever-present reality. We need the armor of Christ.

Peter moves from the fire but unfortunately, he takes Peter with him. The real trouble is not what’s on the outside, but what is inside. Everything that happens in life is a reflection of what is in me. Life is a mirror. Another maid begins to look at the big fisherman and again asks he question which Peter denies.

For Peter, the most important sermon he heard that night was preached by a chook. The rooster crows. There is an awakening signal for every one of us in the course of sin. God loves you so much that he sets roosters in the way asking where are you? Are you following afar off? Are you confessing or denying?

The rooster crows for all of us. It is an opportunity to get out of the darkness and stand in the brilliance of the light of the world. The first time Peter says he wasn’t there. The second time he uses profanity, the third time by divine power Jesus hears his denial.

Please remember, the main character in this story is not peter, it is Jesus. Jesus who knows the hearts of all, knows the denial of a friend. Three times the salt of Peter’s betrayal stung the wounds of the Messiah.

Catch the drama of this moment. At the moment of the third denial and the second crowing the “Lord turns and looks at Peter.” Was it a look of reproof? Of Pity? Of grief?  Yes. But it was also a look of forgiveness and love. He was lifted again like when he was sinking in Galilee.

At that moment there were no soldiers, priests, or accusers. Just Peter and Jesus, and Peter would never forget that look. His face was bloodied and bruised, but His eyes were firm and focused. That look breaks his heart and revives his memory. It does more than the crowing rooster. He remembers and weeps bitterly in the garden of Gethsemane (he missed the crucifixion.) But he was born again. It was the look of a moment that lasted forever. TBC