Why did Jesus Keep Peter as an Apostle, After Peter Denied Him?
Peter carried the terrible burden of his betrayal of Jesus silently in his heart. Yet he knew that Jesus knew. Jesus’ silence spoke volumes. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter earlier at the Passover meal that he would deny him not once, but three times? Peter’s sadness now faced the horrific truth that he let Jesus down in His hour of deep torment and personal suffering.
Remembering that fateful night and his particular treachery, Peter sobs uncontrollably. He can still hear his response to Jesus echoing in his head: “I will lay down my life for you.” These words are absolutely true, and he wanted now to prove it. So, Peter decided to go to Jesus and beg for his mercy.
Peter never heard the proverb, “Heroism takes one small minute more.” Yet in that instant, Peter decided, though undeserving, to ask Jesus for forgiveness. Peter understood this much about Jesus: He would rather forgive than punish. Jesus believed goodness flourished when given a chance.
Then one morning after breakfast on the beach, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time Peter answered, “Yes.” And Peter meant it with his whole aching heart. To each “Yes” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.”
Peter felt that Jesus asking him three times meant that he had already lost Jesus’ trust. Then Peter pleaded, “Yes, Lord you know everything, you know that I love You.” At that moment, Jesus surely did know the fulness of that love beating in Peter’s heart.
With his confession, Jesus’ free gift of healing grace poured over Peter’s wounds reconciling Jesus with Peter. It would be the miracle Peter would remember all his life and especially when Peter faced his own martyrdom and crucifixion.
What’s the lesson for us? When Jesus chooses his followers, Peter, you and me, he already knows what their failures are, but Jesus also sees the good accomplished in His name. Jesus sees our life for what it is: a journey. This is why Jesus never measures our life by our last mistake, for he can also see our next good deed.
When we repent, Jesus becomes the great restorer of our failures. He simply says to us what he said to Peter, “Come, follow me.” He humbly offers us all another chance to companion him.
Peter’s failure didn’t define him, nor does ours define us. Jesus has settled our account when he died on the cross and rose on Easter Sunday. And Peter is seen even today as a humble and compassionate leader, but most of all as a faithful disciple who preached what he learned firsthand: Jesus’ love and mercy.
Painting: Peter Denies Jesus. Artist: Robert Leinweber
