Matthew 26:75
‘And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had made: “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.’
It finally happened. Jesus told him he would do this. Peter vehemently denied it. But he did deny Him. Not once or twice, but three times.
Why didn’t Peter believe Jesus? One of the beatitudes says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God”. To be poor in spirit means that we believe God even if we don’t understand what He is saying. Peter was confident that he wouldn’t betray Him that he kept repeating himself to Jesus. He further said, “Even if all deny you, I will not.” But he did. To be poor in spirit mean we know we are capable of evil and sin. Far more than we could ever imagine.
In Luke 18:13 we see what someone poor in spirit looks like, “But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’” Once we know this about ourselves, we don’t have to stay in that state of dread. God has come to us and lifted up our heads and embraced us. We were the prodigal sons who came home. His love and mercy are so great that we can be joyful. However we never forget that without God we are nothing.
Peter reached that state of being poor in spirit. It will take him a while to get over it. In Luke 22:32 Jesus says, “But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” He hasn’t turned back yet as Jesus mentioned. His low state will get lower when Jesus dies.
Our low state will doubtfully be as low as Peter’s. We that are in Christ will go there. Mine was about guilt. I was so weighed down by it. I was guilt ridden for years. Then I learned about God’s grace. It truly was the light shining in to the darkness. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to leave Christ while in the depths, but it was difficult.
Now I say with Scrooge, “I’m as light as a feather. I’m as giddy as a school boy.” Peter would agree. I am experiencing Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”
Thank You, Jesus for being with us. Thank You for showing us that we are poor in spirit and for embracing us. You are good.