Bible Besties | Peter

Today’s Bible Besties devotion is about Peter.

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:72

Devotion for Today

Have you ever shied away from telling someone you were a Christian?

Maybe you were afraid of what they thought of you, or maybe you were afraid you wouldn’t measure up. For whatever reason, you didn’t want that to be how they saw you.

If so, you need to know you’re not alone.

Peter, one of the disciples, denied even knowing Jesus… not just once, but three times. Jesus had literally said, “whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33). Peter knew that, he was there when Jesus said those words… so what hope was there for him?

Enter the love of Jesus.

Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That’s the whole reason Jesus came. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Yes, Peter denied Jesus, but Jesus still loved him and gave him another chance. Just like He does for us. In fact, we’ll never run out of chances with Jesus. When we sin or fall short, Jesus loves us through it.

Like Peter, you might think your outlook is bleak. Peter had denied knowing Jesus, and now Jesus was dead. He could never tell Him how sorry he was. But then one day, Peter was with a group of disciples who were fishing when they encountered the risen Christ.

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, and Peter said yes, Lord, you know that I do. Three times Jesus asked and all three times Peter said yes.

Peter truly loved Jesus. And that’s what Jesus cares about. Not whether or not we live up to Him (because we can’t), but He looks at our hearts.

First Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Do you need that reminder today? People might see all of our failures, but Jesus looks at our hearts. As long as our hearts are set on Him, we will always be forgiven.

* You can read this part of Peter’s story in John 18: 15-18, 25-27, and 21:15-19