Mark 14:54
But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Jesus was betrayed by Judas and was taken away to the high priest. Peter follows Jesus keeping a safe distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest and warned himself at the “enemies fire”. One of the servant- girl of the high priest recognises him and mentions, she has seen him with Jesus. He denies stating,” I neither know nor understand what you are saying”. And, even a person who witnessed Peter strike off the high priest’s servant’s ear queried, but Peter denied.
Now, Peter wasn’t a meek coward, he had displayed great courage, a born leader, was bold, audacious and radical. Remember he walked on water (Matthew 14:29), he struck the ear off the high priest’s servant, Malchus (John 18:10) and he had a very intimate relationship with Jesus, in fact his name was mentioned first. (Matthew 10:2). So, this was shocking to hear Peter denying Jesus, the one with whom he had spent 3 years, in his intimate circle and had declared that he would go with Jesus, both to prison and to death (Luke 22:33), deny Him.
Immediately, a rooster crowed as Jesus had forewarned, Peter went out and wept bitterly, he must have felt extreme guilt, hopeless, repented, he had denied the very person whom he declared he would die for. Peter probably thought, “it’s all over so now let me get back to the old profession- fishing “(John 21). Peter goes fishing along with the others, who also agree to join him, but they caught nothing.
Jesus had not forgotten Peter in spite of all his flaws and shortcomings, Jesus loved Peter beyond his understanding, in the morning He was at the shore awaiting Peter and the King of kings had also prepared breakfast for them with His own hands.
Peter and the others did not know that it was the Lord. Jesus asks whether they had caught anything and asks them to cast the net on the right side, the net was so heavy that they had to drag the net, Peter jumped into the sea when he heard it was the Lord, he must have squirmed, felt miserable and guilty.
But from Jesus “Hesed” (Hebrew – mercy, steadfast love and faithfulness) flowed towards Peter, Jesus accepted him with all his flaws, reinstated and restored Peter. From a flawed person, an uneducated fisherman he was now an Apostle, a leader, a shepherd, a “fisher of men”, as promised by Jesus.
It’s very easy to get distanced from the Lord Jesus, the world will woo you, peers will, it may be uncool, being too busy can, running after money, accolades and awards can. We need immense grace each day to stick close to the Lord. Let us pray each day that we draw nearer and nearer to Jesus every day,
And If We Have Wandered Away
Jesus is waiting for us,
he is gracious, merciful to meet at the point that we are in, restore us, accomplish His great plan in our life. Thank God!!
Loving heavenly Father, draw us nearer and keep us close to You in Jesus mighty name, Amen!