Peter Collapses (Matthew 26 - P 71)

While the excuse for a "trial" was taking place inside the home of the high priest, Peter was in the courtyard.  Peter had been in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus and the others.  When Jesus was arrested, Matthew told us that someone drew a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest (26:51)   John tells us in his gospel record that the one who drew a sword in the Garden was Peter.  And while all Jesus' companions fled from the scene ... Peter follows and we find him in the courtyard of the home of the high priest ... enemy territory ... dangerous place to be!

Read Matthew 26: 69 - 75

Jesus had warned Peter about this.  (26: 31 - 35)  Of course, Peter could not - in the furthest stretches of his imagination - believe such a thing could happen.  Not to him.  Courage was part of his make up.  Hadn't he been one of the first to be a disciple?  Hadn't he walked with Jesus for 3 years?  Wasn't it he who was willing to step our on the Sea of Galilee during a storm?  Wasn't he the first to say out loud that Jesus was the Jews' long awaited Messiah?   Others may deny ... fail ... run ... but not Peter.

However, as with all of us, we are most vulnerable when we think we are not.  And his courage fails him.  He cannot stand under the pressure.  And fear rushes in.  

Have you ever walked in Peter's shoes?  We deny Jesus as well whenever we want to be sure that no one knows to whom we belong.  Therefore, we don't want our words to give us way.  So we can be as worldly as the next guy with our language!  We don't want our look to give us away as being Jesus followers.  So we can copy the world with inappropriate clothing or ungodly behaviors.  Ever deny Jesus?  

Follow Peter's example ... weep over that failure!  Confess it ... take it to Jesus ... he knows your heart.

Let's not quit reading and thinking today until we go to ...

John 21: 15 - 19

Also, listen to Peter himself as he tells us how to deal with collapses of resolve and with personal failures:

1 Peter 5: 6 - 11 ( New Living Translation)

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.  In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus.  So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  All power to him forever!  Amen.