Thursday, February 22, 2007
Luke 22:60b-62 Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
PORTRAIT OF OUR SUFFERING SAVIOR (PAINTED BY NUMBERS): THREE SHAMEFUL DENIALS
Today we color in the number three in our portrait (for Peter's three denials). The color we add to our portrait is violet (symbolic of Christian repentance).
Peter the bold and impetuous. What a marvelous confession of Jesus he had once made. When many would-be disciples deserted the Lord (after He made clear: "I'm not a bread-king"), He asked if the Twelve would leave, too. Peter responded: "Who else can we go to, Lord? You have the words of eternal life! You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:68-69). But not tonight in Caiaphas' chilly courtyard. Here Peter asserts three times: "Jesus means nothing to me! I don't even know Him!" Poor Peter. How could he take such a tumble? The cause of his fall is he ignored Jesus' admonition to "watch and pray." He believed he was strong enough to fend off temptation on his own. He overestimated his strength and underestimated Satan's.
Thank God there's more to the story. No sooner had denial number three rolled off his lips than a crowing rooster is heard. The Savior turns and looks at Peter. It's a look of sadness mingled with love, a call to repentance. Jesus' look has its desired effect. Peter is overcome with grief and runs outside and weeps repentant tears.
During Lent we see violet-colored paraments hanging in our churches. May they be reminders to us of this story and the importance of looking to Jesus for strength to overcome temptation and our need to "watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation." May our comfort be that when in weakness we take a spiritual "tumble," our Lord's forgiveness is always available, full and free.
In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me
Lest by base denial I depart from Thee.
When Thou see'st me waver, With a look recall
Nor for fear or favor Suffer me to fall.
(TLH 516:1)
