Peter

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ‘But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. – Matthew 26:31-35

Peter was a man of many words. One could always count on Peter to ask a question or speak what all the others may have been thinking.

Peter was not just one of the 12; he was on of the 3.

Like in all friendship circles there are always the few amongst the many that are tighter with the leader of the pack. John, James and Peter were those 3.

Peter witnessed his mother being healed at the word of Christ. It was Peter who spoke from the Spirit that Jesus was the Christ, and it was Peter James and John who were chosen to walk up the mountain to witness the transfiguration of Jesus.

Peter was also the one who had so much faith in the Christ-ship of Jesus that when the disciples were scared at the sight of Jesus walking on the water Peter called out to him and said, “Lord, if it’s you…tell me to come to you on the water.” – Matthew 14:28

Peter, in his day, was definitely a man after God’s heart. That is something that God does not let go unnoticed. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." – Matthew 16:17-19

When you are truly seeking Him out, when you are asking the questions, and sincerely desiring to know God so much so that you are open to His responses, you will be blessed.

However, much like with our opening text where Jesus told Peter how he was going to deny knowing Jesus, we too face answers and responses from God that we don’t like. I know that I wouldn’t like to hear that if the last day happened in my lifetime that I was going to deny His name in the face of possible martyrdom. God knows my heart, He knows your heart, and He knew Peter’s heart as well.

Did Jesus withhold the blessing from Peter after he denied knowing Him? No, but that is because Peter repented.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.” – John 21:15-17

Jesus still trusted the care of His adult and child followers with Peter. His sheep and His lambs were still to be spiritually led and fed by Peter.

Though we may fail, though we may make unwise choices, and though we may have all the best intentions in the world; Jesus knows our heart, our potential, and with that, when we repent, when we strive to get closer to Him He will get closer to us, and He will bless us, and He will show us a life that we may never have imagined on our own.

I was addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, and cigarettes, and even after my first confession of Christ and my baptism, I still tried to live my way. He got a hold of me, as low and shameful as Peter must have felt I did too, but Jesus showed me a new life.

If he can take me, send me back to school, put me in a responsible position as this, feeding His sheep and lambs, He can and will do it for you. It may look different as each of us are created for different purposes, but since we are all created for one same purpose – to give Him glory, whatever He takes you to will not only bring Him glory, but will be good for you.