Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:35

On first reading I think Peter got a raw deal in this text. Did you notice the end of the text? ‘and so said all the disciples. Mark records it similarly in Chapter 14:31

‘But he spoke the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise said they all’

Every time I hear a sermon preached or indeed think back to the story of the Jesus foretelling the denial of Him, it is only Peter that is mentioned, when clearly it says that they all voiced their convictions. The voice of Peter might have been the first and loudest voice to be heard and so ultimately was the biggest story to be followed.

⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 27:74-75

A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept. Mark 14:72

 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him,“ Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Luke 22:61

However, thankfully for us, the story doesn’t end there, as when Jesus is resurrected the recording angel singles out Peter by name, I think to show he had been forgiven for his heart felt and public wrong, by Jesus. As Mark 16:7 records the angel in white sitting on the rolled away stone instructs Mary Magdalene 

“But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 

We serve a God who is big enough to forgive us whatever we have done as long as we take in to him. One day He will call our name, like Peters, giving us that special inviation to come to him. Let us make sure that we know His voice by reading his words daily.

The song today is ‘One day Jesus will call my name’ by Lynda Randle. Click on the picture to listen.