It Is Finished

Oh, Peter     

By: Laurie Klimple

(Matthew 26:69-75 amplified Bible)

69 “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them too; for even your [Galilean] accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].”

Most of you probably remember the biblical account of Peter denying Jesus three times before the rooster crows. It is one that stands out and usually not forgotten as Jesus makes His way to the cross. Jesus foretold Peter about this denial and immediately Peter says he would never deny Him. If you’re like me you have wondered how Peter could do this. Why three times? The number three, in the Bible, was used to put a “divine stamp” of completion or fulfillment on a subject. Why a rooster crowing, and three times? The sound of a crowing rooster gets people’s attention. If you raise chickens, you know what I am talking about. Here are some interesting facts about roosters: they crow to indicate safety for their flock; they crow to communicate their dominance; they crow to warn of danger; they don’t just crow in the early morning, they crow throughout the day when they deem it necessary.

Questions concerning Peter and his association with Jesus: Was Peter overconfident? Was he fearful when questioned about his association with Christ? Was he leaning toward being a little self-righteous? Was this the fall of Peter? Oh, I would never…

He in fact had three opportunities to speak up for Jesus, but he lied and denied knowing Him. There are many of us good and faith-intentional Christians that have served the Lord and then walked away. We do learn from Peter that he was just as human and fleshy as we are. We also can see acknowledgement, conviction, and repentance on his part. 

I know at times in my own life, I have walked away from and denied the Lord to do my own thing. But, like Peter, acknowledgement, conviction, and repentance humbly brought me back to God to ask for forgiveness. Thankfully many liars and deniers have returned to the Lord to serve Him fiercely with remnants of their testimonies to provide pathways for others to see the cross. 

It’s quite simple: admit your sin, be truly repentant, ask God’s forgiveness putting your denials behind you. Move forward in step with Him. He has great plans for you. 

“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain..” (John 15:16a)

Father, what a blessing it is to serve You who forgives us when we sin and fall short of Your glory. All praises to You in Jesus Name. Amen.