“And Peter”

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus spoke these words to Peter as He prepared him for his coming denial.

Jesus had told Peter, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Peter vehemently affirmed that he would never deny his Lord and even said he would die for Jesus. I really believe Peter meant what he said, as we see him later drawing out his sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant to defend Jesus’ arrest.

“I have prayed for you” is the assurance that Jesus gave Peter.

After his bold stance in the garden of Gethsemane, Peter finds himself following Jesus from a distance. When Peter was first recognized and accused of being with Jesus, he was warming himself by a fire in the high priest’s courtyard. Peter wilted under the pressure and stated, “I don’t know the man.”

This was repeated two more times as he denied Jesus.  Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” and immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

Then, the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

Peter went out and wept bitterly. I can only imagine what went through Peter’s mind when Jesus looked at him. I believe Jesus’ look was filled with tenderness and love for Peter because He knew the great comfort that Peter would be to the infant church.

Peter just felt that it was over for him as he had disowned the One he knew to be the Messiah. That’s why Peter wept bitterly. This feeling would have stayed with him even after news of the resurrection thrilled the discouraged hearts of the disciples. In his mind, his usefulness in the kingdom was over, but he would soon be encouraged by two simple words… “and Peter.”

After seeing Jesus raised from the dead, Mary Magdalene was instructed, “Go, tell my disciples and Peter.”

“And Peter” meant that Jesus still had a wonderful plan for Peter’s life.

“And Peter” speaks down through to our time when we have, in some way, denied the Lord and have lost hope.

His eye is on the sparrow, and He is watching over you.

Rejoice that as Peter was restored, we can be, as well.

“ And Peter.”