Beyond the Failure

I’ve been thinking about Peter’s denial of Christ. There’s no doubt about it, Peter was in a tough situation. I’m sure he was afraid for his life. Jesus had just been arrested. The chief priests and elders had come out with swords and clubs, and they were getting ready to hand him over to the Romans. Jesus was going to the cross to die.

So Peter, who in one moment said, “Lord, I’m ready to go with you to prison and to death!” when it comes right down to it, he isn’t ready, is he? I imagine, his heart and his mind were telling him one thing, but when he got his moment, he failed.  

Now it’s interesting. Jesus knows ahead of time that he’s going to fail. He says, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat. 

The image of being sifted like wheat would have been an image from their everyday lives. Flour would be poured onto a mesh screen which was then shaken vigorously. The fine flour would be sifted through while the impurities would remain on the mesh. Jesus was telling the disciples that they were all about to be shaken by the events that would unfold. 

Maybe in your life, there have been events that have shaken you, and put you to the test. Maybe there have been times you have found you fell short of what you’d hoped. 

Failure is a part of life, and we’ve all been there; whether it was failure in business, or in a relationship, or in living up to values that we’d like to have. 

The question is, what do we do with our failures?

I think it is beautiful that Jesus knows ahead of time that Peter’s going to fail, but he doesn’t give up on him. He tells Peter, “Before the rooster crows this day you will have denied me three times.” But then he adds, “When once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)

Jesus is saying, You are going to fail. I know you’re not going to get it right. You are going to make mistakes – sometimes big mistakes that are going to hurt. But I am not giving up on you. I want you to turn back. I have a plan for your life, beyond this.

I pray today that you would learn from your failures in life and that you would trust the merciful grace of God. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we have all fallen short, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23). As you are forgiven and blessed, may you ever look for ways to share these gifts with a world desperately in need.

Let us pray: Wash over us with your grace, O God. Empower us to turn again to you, and follow you with all of our hearts. Amen.