Resurrection 101 - Peter the Denier

As genuine as Peter’s love for Jesus was, there were certain both internal and external spiritual realities that were beyond Peter’s grasp at this time.  All he knows right now is that he is ready to go both to prison and to death with Jesus. Within 12 hours, however, those yet undisclosed realities will collide and forever shipwreck the passionate fisherman’s trust in himself.

The denial creeps up on Peter unawares.

When asked to pray with Jesus, Peter can’t keep his eyes open. The heart indeed is willing, but the body is weak.

When the traitor arrives, Peter thinks the hour has finally arrived to prove his devotion to his Lord. So, he wields the sword and chops off the ear of the High Priest’s slave!  But, the kingdom of God is not about swords and bats, nor about violence and bloodshed in defense of one's personal rights or religious beliefs. Jesus doesn't need Peter (or me!) to defend Him. 

When Jesus is arrested, Peter slinks surreptitiously behind, and follows Him at a distance. But, one can’t follow Jesus while trying to keep a safe distance.

And so, the seasoned veteran, the pillar of the Church of God, gets knocked off his wobbly faith-feet by a girl. According to the word of the Lord. As he tumbles headlong into all-out denial, the rooster crows. Just as Jesus had said. 

The deafening sound of the screeching bird suddenly silences the disciple and he looks at Jesus. The Lord turns and looks at Peter.  Against the backdrop of the paling sky, against the backdrop of the extinguishing fire, against the piercing echo of the rooster's crow, Peter remembers the word spoken. And weeps... weeps bitterly.

The world as Peter knew it ended right there, in that courtyard.  The crucifixion later that day was the final nail in the coffin of Peter’s crumbled universe.

When the Easter morning arrived, and Peter found the empty tomb, something utterly new awakened in the bosom of the broken follower. A fresh hope? Then the Lord appeared to them - the nail scars and all. His presence generated irrepressible joy, and disbelief, and wonder… But, one sharp nail still remained inside Peter's bruised heart.  And there was only one person who could take it out.