Reflecting on Matthew 26:31-35.
“‘I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:35)
Years ago I made a decision to be a Jesus follower.
If you had asked me then, I probably would have said what Peter said.
Actually, it was not just Peter: all the other disciples said the same!
This is both humbling and helpful.
These disciples actually saw and heard Jesus face to face.
Even they boasted of their faithfulness… and yet failed.
Through the years I have seen that my faith ebbs and flows.
I have moments of strength and moments of weakness.
Times when I am passionately devoted to sticking with Jesus.
Times when my heart is lukewarm, my focus distracted.
“This very night…” is not meant to shame Peter.
Jesus knows Peter and the other disciples.
He knows that they are weak, even if their spirit is strong.
He knows they need patience, mercy, encouragement, grace.
And He knows that for me and you too.
Our hope with Jesus is not the strength of our faith.
It is not the rightness of our beliefs.
It is not the correctness of our behaviours.
Jesus knows our hearts, as weak as they are, and loves us.
Jesus knows that I will falter again… and again… and again!
But our hope is in the strength of His love, His faithfulness.
We stand in good company with saints who have failed through history.
But there is One that has not failed us, and never will.
He has loved us – failures and all – to the very end.
And He will be there for us, as He was with Peter, after he failed.
Jesus says, “Truly I tell you…” (Matthew 26:34)
“My grace is sufficient for you!
For my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Lord Jesus, despite all my failures and lack of faithfulness, You have never failed me, and have been faithful to me through it all! Thank You that Your grace are power are made perfect in weakness!