The Leaf in my Bible, part 2

Read part 1 here

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Jesus said to him, "I tell you, Peter, that the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34)

Peter did not know what he was saying. He thought that night was just like any night.

Jesus took the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane and told them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Why didn't they listen? Why didn't they keep praying?

Have you ever tried to pray at night, in bed maybe? Do you ever fall asleep while praying?

I sure do. My humanity and need for rest seems to be stronger than my desire to pray. How sad!

And there was Jesus, pouring out sweat drops of blood as He begged the Father to let this cup pass from him, and Peter and the others are snoring.

Mark 14:38 says, "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak."

And so, when the betrayer comes, the disciples are astonished, unprepared, half-awake. Judas plants a kiss on Jesus' cheek, giving the signal to his followers that this is the man. The disciples grab their swords, prepared to defend their Master. One of them strikes the high priest's servant's ear. John tells us that it was Peter.

When Jesus is led away, they all run, terrified for their lives. If the rulers arrested Jesus, what would they do with his followers?

Peter follows at a distance, watching. When the servants light a fire in the courtyard, Peter decides to go join them and warm himself. Then a servant girl, the lowest of the low, says to him, 'This man was also with him."

Panic courses through Peter's body. "Woman, I don't know Him."

And a little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!"

An hour later, a man insisted, "Certainly this man was with Him, for he is a Galilean."

But Peter swore and said, "Man, I do not know even know what you are talking about!"

AND WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING, a rooster crowed.

Then they brought out the Lord, and HE LOOKED AT PETER.

And PETER REMEMBERED WHAT THE LORD HAD SAID.

And Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Have you ever blown it really bad? Like horribly, irrevocably blown it?
Have you ever said something that instantly you wanted to erase from memory forever?

To prison and death, Peter? Never forsake, Peter?Then Jesus is killed. And Peter is ready to curl up and die. He has failed. After all his big talking, he wouldn't even admit to knowing of the Master. And now He is dead. And Peter had no chance of redeeming himself. He was the one who had denied Christ three times.

But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32)

Read Part 3 here