Matthew 26:69-75

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl approached him and said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean too.”

But he denied it in front of everyone: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!”

And again he denied it with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, “You really are one of them, since even your accent gives you away.”

Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus had told Peter beforehand that this denial would take place, but Peter--(over)confident in his faith, will, and devotion--said he would never deny Jesus. But here we see, Peter succumbs to temptation and the pressures around Him. Now, after being betrayed by one close disciple, Jesus is denied by another.

Jesus, you show perfect love to imperfect disciples. You love us so well, and yet we allow our affections toward you to wane, our devotion to you to falter, and our faith in you to fail. Thank you for persisting in love towards us. Help us to love you more fully, and to testify of your grace more boldly. Amen.

Look for someone that you can proudly share your love for Jesus with this week. It might be the person that has been giving you a hard time lately. Ask Jesus to give you the courage to share your faith boldly!