The Power of Getting Back Up
“But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord. So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:60–62 (NKJV)
Peter was the disciple who talked the loudest and promised the most. He told Jesus, “Even if everyone else stumbles, I never will.” He believed he was stronger, braver, and more faithful than anyone around him. But Jesus saw past Peter’s confidence and pride. He told him that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny Him three times. And just a few hours later, that prophecy came true.
Peter stood in the courtyard as Jesus was arrested, beaten, and dragged away. A servant girl recognized him and said, “You were with Jesus of Galilee.” Peter quickly denied it. Another accused him, and this time he swore with an oath, saying, “I do not know the man.” A third person insisted he was one of Jesus’ followers, and Peter began to curse and shout, “I do not know Him!” At that moment, the rooster crowed.
Then came one of the most powerful moments in Scripture. As Jesus was being led away, bruised and bloodied, He turned and looked at Peter. Imagine that moment. Jesus’ face was torn, His body broken, His eyes swollen, but through the blood and the pain, His eyes met Peter’s. It wasn’t a look of anger or condemnation. It was a look of love. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Peter, I told you this would happen, but I still love you. I’m not finished with you.” That look broke Peter’s heart. He wept bitterly, realizing what he had done.
That same love still reaches for us today. Like Peter, we’ve all made promises we couldn’t keep. We’ve all failed God in moments of fear or weakness. But the story doesn’t end with failure. After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter again on the shore and restored him with three simple words: “Feed My sheep.” The one who denied Him three times became the one who preached the gospel with boldness on the day of Pentecost.
When Jesus looks at you, He doesn’t see your failure. He sees your future.
His love lifts you where shame once weighed you down. Get back up. He is not finished with you yet.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that even when I fail, Your love never turns away. Help me to see Your eyes of grace instead of my shame. Give me the courage to rise again and follow You with all my heart. Amen.
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