Peter Can’t Do Anything Right

Here is the context…Jesus just served the Last Supper to His disciples. He further explains that He will be leaving them soon, but they will be unable to follow. Peter replies that he will follow Jesus, even to the point of death. Jesus informs Peter that before the rooster crows, Peter would disown Him three times. (See John 13.)

Peter has just been informed that he would deny Christ three times before dawn. On the heels of that conversation, Jesus teaches His disciples and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Then, the guards come to arrest Jesus.

What is Peter’s response? Does he deny Christ here? No. In fact, in the face of a squad of soldiers, out-numbered, out-manned, and out-gunned, Peter draws his sword and starts swinging it. He strikes the high priest’s servant, Malchus, and chops his ear off. Not the best aim, but the heart is willing. (See John 18:1-14.)

How could Peter have expected the next part of this narrative to go? Surrounded by armed soldiers with one already injured, Peter probably expected the next few moments to be his last few moments on this earth. He was willing to die for Jesus and probably just signed his own death warrant.

But Jesus, still in control of the situation, rebukes Peter by saying: “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11 NIV).

Peter takes a stand for Jesus, is willing to die for Jesus, and then gets rebuked by Jesus. He has to be confused. Notice, though, the first time he has an opportunity to stand with Jesus after Jesus told him he would deny Christ, Peter is ready to fight.

After Jesus is arrested, Peter mingles among the crowd. Three times he is questioned about being a disciple of Jesus. Three times he denies it. The rooster crows. (See John 18:15-18 and John 18:25-27.)

So, when Peter is willing to stand and fight, he is rebuked by Jesus. When Peter is called out as knowing Jesus, he denies. If Peter can’t get this right, what makes me think I can? How am I going to know when to fight, when to draw the sword, when to acknowledge Christ and when the best thing is to leave it all to the Lord and be reserved? Peter got it wrong. How can I get it right?

I believe there is one advantage that followers of Jesus have now that Peter did not have before he crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus – the Holy Spirit living in believers of Christ.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14 NIV).

As followers of Christ, we must listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we can know what to do in the heat of the moment. Like Peter, if we leave it up to our own logic, we will get it wrong.