97 - Failed Resolutions

There comes a time in most people’s life when they discover how weak they are. How soon that happens varies from person to person. Some learn the lesson when they are very young, others not until much later. Some discover it by a series of small events, others only after a massive failure. Some easily admit their weakness and seek help, others are deeply ashamed of their weakness and try to hide it. But the fact remains that all of us encounter temptations and situations which have the power to overwhelm us. No matter how much we desire to do the right thing, we find ourselves doing the very thing we promised ourselves we would never do.

Peter provides a great illustration of someone struggling with their weakness. Jesus had tried to warn him, but Peter refused to listen. He was so sure of his love for Jesus, and so unaware of the powerful forces which were about to attack him, that he actually defied Jesus, telling Him that His warning was unnecessary. He was absolutely confident that he would not fail, even if all the others did. And then, when those horrible events began to unfold, Peter frantically tried to keep his promise, and in doing so put the lives of all the disciples at risk. In the end he fled just as Jesus said he would, and discovered that he was as weak as Jesus said he was.

But Peter’s weakness that night did not mean he would always fail. In fact it was the discovery of his weakness that became an important step in his development as a disciple. It showed him the power of the forces arrayed against him. It showed him the difference between his flesh and his spirit. It taught him what to do in the future, so he needn’t fail again. And it certainly left him a different man: a humble man, whom Jesus could trust to strengthen others who were also weak.

Today, we’ll observe Jesus as He coaches Peter through the process. We’ll hear Him warn Peter, we’ll hear Him explain why He was so certain Peter would fail. We’ll hear Him assure Peter that he would be restored. And we’ll hear Him give a humbled Peter a new assignment.