One of the saddest disappointments of the story of our Lord’s last days is Peter’s denial of his Master. If the gospel narrative were fiction this would not be in it. We would have said it was impossible. Peter loved Jesus deeply and truly. He had received the name of “the rock.” For three years he had been under the teaching and in the constant companionship of Jesus. He had special honour and favour in the apostle-family. His name stands always first in the list, and he was one of the three of the Master’s closest personal friends. It was he who had made the great confession which won from Jesus such commendation.
We would have said that he was the last of the apostles who would deny his Lord. Yet, in spite of all, this bravest, most favoured apostle, this man of rock, fell most ignominiously, fell, too, at a time when friendship to his Master ought to have made him truest and most loyal.
Why did he fail? His self-confidence made him weak. He slept in the Garden when he ought to have been watching. Then he drew his sword to defend his Master. His next mistake was in following Jesus afar off. His last error was in joining the company by the fire when he came in. The denial was already more than half made when he sat down among the officers, trying to appear as one of them. It was easy then, when the maid twitted him with being of the Galilean’s party, to deny it.
Against the pitiful weakness and cowardliness of Peter shine the faithfulness and graciousness of the Master. He heard it all — the denial thrice repeated, and the oaths and curses — He heard it all, but loved on. It was this marvelous forbearance that saved Peter. It was the Master’s look that saved him.
“I think the look of Christ might seem to say,—
‘Thou, Peter! Art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break My heart upon,
For all God’s charge to His high angels may
Guard My foot better? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, My beloved that they should run
Quick to deny Me ‘neath the morning sun?
And do thy kisses like the rest betray?
The cock crows coldly. Go and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy final need is dreariest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here.
My voice to God and angels, shall attest
Because I know this man, let him be clear.