Luke 22:31 (Jesus said to the apostle Peter/Simon) “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”

Peter pledged to protect Jesus, but Jesus wasn’t asking for protection. Jesus knew that death was in his future, but that death would not be the end. Well, Peter didn’t understand and so made a promise, “Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!”. It’s a promise Peter failed to keep.

You would think a failure of this magnitude would disqualify Peter from future leadership in the movement – but it did not. He was given another chance by the Lord and he did not waste it. Peter did great things for the Kingdom of God until his death.

I make mistakes all the time. It’s not that I intend to mess up, but I get it wrong anyway. Reading about people like Peter gives me hope. My mistakes, my shortcomings, my failings to not disqualify me in the eyes of the Lord. There is always another chance.

Thank you Lord for your grace, for your patience, for your refusal to give up on us when we fall. Pick me up once again and guide me in your will. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.