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Day 32 John 18:14 John 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then said the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He said, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why ask thou me? Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answer thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. Have you ever said you would never do something that would cause harm to another person, and then you did it anyway? Peter told Jesus he would never deny Him and that he would die for Him if necessary. Jesus told Peter he would not only deny Him, but he would do it three times before the cock crew. How well do people know you? Do they seem to know you better than you know yourself so that when you live up to their expectations and not yours you feel an intense sense of guilt and shame? Jesus is before the Sanhedrin, questioned by the high priest and other rulers. In the courtyard, Peter is warming himself when three people question him about his association with Jesus of Nazareth. As soon as Peter denied knowing Jesus for the third time, two things happened. One, the cock crew, and second the led Jesus from the hall of judgment. When they did, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Luke 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou say. And immediately, while he yet spoke, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. As Christians, how many times have you acted as Peter, saying one thing, and then doing just the opposite of what you professed? Peter was impulsive, the most impulsive of the other disciples. He often said or did something that left the other disciples with questions in their minds and on their faces. Like the time when Peter got out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus. None of the other disciples were as impulsive. Now, again, Peter suffers from his impulsive nature. He denied knowing Jesus, something he said he would never do, and when he did, he ran from the courtyard weeping bitterly. He believed there was no hope for him. Unless you know yourself better than you think you do, I’m certain you said and did things you regretted as well. I know I have. I have a Peter nature, just as impulsive. So, if I have, I know I don’t stand alone, but others of you also have a Peter nature, impulsive. There is hope for you, just as there was hope for Peter. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (KJV) You will fail. You’re not perfect. When you do, you have hope of redemption through Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV) Peter’s redemptive moment came. It wasn’t in the moment he denied Jesus three times and ran from the courtyard weeping bitterly. It came three days later. So, will yours. Though you won’t need to wait three days. Your redemption happens as soon as you confess your sin. Do you think you’re beyond hope of redemption? Consider again, what Jesus told Peter before he denied him. Jesus told him He prayed for him. Jesus stands on the right hand of the Father interceding for you, just as He interceded for Peter before His death and resurrection. Jesus said in the prayer he prayed, He hadn’t lost anyone except the one prophesied, the son of perdition. He didn’t lose another person. There’s hope for you. No one is beyond hope of salvation. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for the hope you placed in me that I am not beyond salvation and redemption. Help me come to You when I sin and receive Your forgiveness and feel Your cleansing power on my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 3 January 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay