What led to Peter's tragic fall? What lessons can we learn to prevent our own? Down deep, we know we are weak and could do the same. Lastly, is there saving grace in this story--and grace for us too?
Peter fell because he didn't know himself. "When Peter said he would follow his Lord to prison and to death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself. Hidden in his heart were elements of evil that circumstances would fan into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw in him a self-love and assurance that would overbear even his love for Christ." The Desire of Ages, p. 673
That's why Jesus tried to warn him ahead of time--to help Peter wake up and finally give his heart fully to Christ. What "elements of evil" were lurking beneath the surface in Peter's heart, even though he thought he was committed to Jesus?
"Much spiritual sickness, shameless sin, carelessness of spirit, unsanctified temper, and a tendency to rush heedlessly into temptation, had been revealed in his experience." Ibid. (paraphrasing mine).
On one level, you have to love Peter (and Jesus did). He was loving, loyal, enthusiastic, raring to go. But Peter had many spiritual weaknesses he didn't let himself see. He was in denial about his deeper needs.
So Jesus had mercifully given Peter an alert like the ones we set on our smart phone or computer calendar. When the reminder beeps, or rings, we are prompted to remember our appointment. But in Peter's case, the reminder would come too late and have a different purpose.
Earlier, Jesus had told Peter, "When you hear the rooster crow, you will have already denied (disowned) me three times. This warning, given to Peter a few hours before his fall, was the important alert. But Peter ignored it. In that warning Jesus was saying to Peter, "Friend, I know you so well. I am your God, your Savior. I know you better than you know yourself. Don't you remember how many times I have been there for you? That's why you love me and keep following me."
"Christ's solemn warning was a call to heart searching. Peter needed to distrust himself, and to have a deeper faith in Christ. If he had received the warning with humility, he would have appealed to the Shepherd of the flock to keep him as one of His sheep. That night on the Sea of Galilee when he was about to sink, he cried, 'Lord, save me.' Matt. 14:30. Jesus had grabbed his desperately outstretched hand and pulled him to safety. So now if he had cried to Jesus, "Save me from myself," he would have been preserved. But Peter felt that he was distrusted, and he thought Jesus was criticizing him. He was already offended, and so he became more persistent in his self-confidence. Ibid, (paraphrasing mine). But of course, he failed.
When the rooster crowed, Peter realized several things all at once: Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. Jesus had been a faithful Friend by trying to save him ahead of time. He realized he had added a deeper wound to Jesus' pain and suffering. Did Peter instinctively look at Jesus when he heard the rooster? And did Jesus lock eyes with Peter in that moment, looking into his very soul with a look of sadness and hurt, but also with compassion?
"And he went ouside and wept bitterly" Matt. 26:75. Peter's weeping was the evidence of true repentance. Finally he saw himself as he was, but His sorrow was a Godly kind, promted by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 7:9, 10) that now led him to full surrender and conversion. It is the undeserved kindess of God that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4; Tit. 3:3-7). Even while Peter was seeing his dark heart and failings, He saw the love of Jesus for him even more.
In the days ahead, Peter would receive even more grace from Christ, and an even greater revelation of His love for him. He would see a love that would forever fortify his commitment. But from Crucifixion to Resurrection, Peter lived with great sadness and regret.
Jesus knows us intimately too. He knows the weaknesses that lie beneath the surface of our awareness and often trouble our religious experience. He knows the character flaws that unless addressed will cause spiritual disaster for us too. Through the teachings of His word, the whispers of His Spirit, and the experiences of life, He tries to warn us and lead us to that full surrender of every part of us.
Amazingly, if we fail catastrophically he does not reject us, unless we go on to fully turn from Him. While He cannot always spare us the results of our own choices, His amazing heart of love and grace will offer forgiveness and restoration if we let Him.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but know I'm found; was blind, now I see."
And we who live so close to Jesus' return need this lesson even more than Peter.
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