1/6/19 - Jesus Tried and Denied - John 18:12-27

There's a verse in Romans for which I'm especially thankful. It's given by the apostle Paul as he expresses his vulnerability and I think you can probably relate as well...

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

Paul makes this statement more than twenty years after he first met Jesus on the Damascus road. 20 years! And this is the guy that gave us much of the New Testament. The struggle is real. It reminds me of our text this Sunday. Peter will deny Jesus not once but three times. Not just casually either. He will swear he doesn't know Him. How could this come from the man described as one of Jesus' closest friends? Peter didn't see it coming. A simple slave girl's question causes him to stumble. The circumstance surprises him and he responds in self defense. It's when we are caught off guard that our actions are often unpredictable. Self-preservation is powerful isn't it? Peter had been following Jesus from a distance, avoiding contact with the authorities. In other words, he no longer remained close to Jesus. Think of this: Jesus would die for the very sins Peter was committing against him as He went to the cross. That's how good Jesus is.

Judas also denied Jesus. So what's the difference between Judas and Peter? When the reality of their decisions set in Peter cried expressing his remorse but Judas hung himself. Jesus used Peter's repentance and restored him to fruitful ministry. As we enter a new year let's remember that Jesus forgives, heals and restores even our tear filled regrets.