While Peter was below in the courtyard, someone came up to him and said, “You were with the Nazarene, Jesus.†but he denied it. He said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.†and he went out to the entryway. Sometime later someone said to those standing around Peter, “He is one of them.†but he denied it again. After a little while those standing near asked, “surely you are one of them for you are a Galilean.†Peter began to call down curses on himself and swore to them, “I don’t know the man!†at this the rooster crowed and Peter went out at wept bitterly. (Mark 14:66-72 NIV)
This is undoubtedly the most familiar story of Peter in all of Scripture. None have been preached on more. It seems that Judas is familiarized because he betrayed Jesus, and so Peter is famous for disowning him. But that is not the end of Peter’s story. We see Easter morning the angel tells the women to go tell the disciples AND PETER that Christ will meet them in Galilee. Did you catch that? AND PETER. Tell Peter he is not forsaken. Tell Peter he is not rejected. Tell Peter he’s got another chance. Peter denied Christ out of fear but after Jesus reinstated him he had a determination to live for Christ that he would hold to the rest of his life. Was it out of obligation because he denied Christ that he wanted to follow Christ? No it was undoubtedly out of the love and forgiveness Jesus showed Peter after his resurrection. To know Jesus had not done to him what he did to Jesus must have been overwhelming. What can you say to such love? You can’t say anything. You just choose to live the rest of your life for Christ.