Have you ever wondered if Peter knew he would deny Jesus even as he denied he’d do it? Maybe you’ve never done this, but humans have the capacity to say something even whilst they know they would not live up to what they are saying.
Foxhole prayers, midnight confessions, fitness pledges, altar promises…these are all instances in which we say the right thing, but know our capacity, on our own, is too weak to live up to that which we’re committing. It’s not that we don’t want to live up to them, just that the enemy’s voice is loud in our ears that we’ve failed before and we likely will again.
It is certainly also possible that Peter’s weak commitment to stick with Jesus - Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you - was said with all sincerity. This is the most common interpretation - that Peter meant it. Despite knowing the rest of the story (that he will indeed deny even knowing Jesus), it’s possible we could interpret it this way. That’s the thing about good intentions — they can be completely sincere, and still fall short.
Whether Peter was self-deceived or simply naïve, the story reminds us that faithfulness is not built on our bravado but on Christ’s grace. Our words falter, but his word holds.
And that’s where the rest of the passage matters so deeply. In the middle of betrayal foretold and denial predicted, Jesus still takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it. He still offers the cup of covenant to the very ones who will abandon him within hours.
The table is not for the worthy, but for the weak. It is not set for those who have proven themselves, but for those who know failure. And in that tension, we see the fullness of grace: Jesus gives himself to faltering disciples, and through them, to the world.
Peter’s words may crumble before the rooster crows, but Jesus’ words - This is my body… this is my blood of the covenant - will not. What we cling to is not our own resolve but the promise of Christ, who feeds us even as we stumble.
This is, of course, not to say that we should plan to fail. Or that we treat Christ’s grace like a vending machine. But that when we do fail, even then, his grace abounds. It’s not about our desire to hold power over the evil that would bring us down. It’s about the power of Christ’s love and grace at work in us.
This is not to say we should plan to fail, or treat Christ’s grace like a vending machine. But when we do fail, even then, his grace abounds. Faith is not about our power to resist evil, but about Christ’s power of love and grace at work in us.
Peter will discover this after his denial. Grace was still waiting for him on the shore of Galilee. And it’s waiting for anyone else who would take a long reflective walk with Jesus.
Matthew 26:17-35
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”
He replied, “Go into the city, to a certain man, and say, ‘The teacher says, “My time is near. I’m going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” The disciples did just as Jesus instructed them. They prepared the Passover.
That evening he took his place at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating he said, “I assure you that one of you will betray me.”
Deeply saddened, each one said to him, “I’m not the one, am I, Lord?”
He replied, “The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl. The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born.”
Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, “It’s not me, is it, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You said it.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take and eat. This is my body.” He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven. I tell you, I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Then, after singing songs of praise, they went to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions. But after I’m raised up, I’ll go before you to Galilee.”
Peter replied, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.”
Jesus said to him, “I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times.”
Peter said, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing.
Psalm 103:10-12
He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. As far as east is from west—that’s how far God has removed our sin from us.
Prayer
God,
Sometimes I really identify with Paul. I do not understand my own actions. I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I do not want to do. I know all the right words (for the most part), but I forget your Spirit’s power in me. And when I do, fatigue, disappointment, and disenfranchisement with the world take over.
So help me, God.
Disturb my slumber. Speak loudly. Let me see your hand at work. Remind me of your presence. Slap me upside the face if you will. Don’t let me forget your grace.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.