“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” That’s me. I made all kinds of bold statements about what I would do; I thought I could, but I didn’t. When no one else would venture to speak up, I did. I tried to defend Jesus with a sword, and He told me that was not the way we would advance His kingdom in the world; I was frustrated. So, they arrested Him. I was accused of being with Him; I denied it. But in hiding my association with Him I denied Him; I feel horrible. I let Him down; I messed up. Will I ever be able to get past my many failures?
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 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, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69–75 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, forgive us for all the times and ways we have let You down. Amen!
