March 27 | Luke 22:54-62

by Beth Voltmann

On the night Jesus was arrested, “Peter followed at a distance.”

Peter had been such a confident follower of Jesus. He was the one who spoke these words:

· “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:27)

· “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

· “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33)

And yet, Peter, so well-intentioned in his commitment to Christ, utterly failed in this moment of

fear. Having tried, at first, to defend Jesus by the sword, he was now helpless as the Messiah willingly surrendered to his accusers. The challenges came at Peter in the flickering firelight of the courtyard:

”This man was with him.”

“You also are one of them.”

“Certainly this fellow was with him.”

Peter responded to the charges,

“Woman, I don’t know him.”

“Man, I am not!”

“Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today,

you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:60-62)

My heart aches for Peter as he recalled Jesus’ words of warning, but even more so as the Lord’s eyes met his. Was it perhaps a look of chastisement? Of “I told you so”? Of great sorrow? Of disappointment? I want to imagine otherwise.

Remember the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, but was conflicted

because he was so attached to his wealth?

“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (Mark 10:17-21)

If only Peter had remembered Jesus’ other words from earlier that evening:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon,

that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke

22:31-32)

When in your life have you followed Jesus at a distance... and why? Pride? Anger? Sorrow?

Many believers fall away, lose hope, feel despair or discouragement. In those moments, we must lift our heads to see Jesus looking at us with eyes of love. Through tears of repentance,

may we remember Christ’s words.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Jesus, please forgive us when we fail to follow you closely. Look upon us, strengthen us, restore us with your unfailing love. Amen.