Day Eighty-nine – Matthew 26:69-75

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus and belong to him? It is both liberation and a liability. The Lord’s disciple has no fear of becoming enslaved to the self-destructive forces of addiction. In one sense, the world cannot touch a believer (1 Jn. 5:18-20).

But tracking the footsteps of our Lord also leads to sacrifice and heartache. Even though Jesus has “overcome the world,” we still “have tribulation” as long as we are in it (Jn. 16:33). In the same moment in the courtyard where Peter denied knowing  Jesus , inside the house Jesus was being battered. Peter feared that the abuse could easily spill outside if he confessed his relationship with Jesus.

Although the tone of this story is dark, disappointing, and desolate, its emphasis is not how badly Peter failed Jesus, but how deeply Jesus loved Peter. Earlier, that same evening, and right before Jesus said, “You will all fall away because of Me,” Jesus passed a cup of wine to his disciples and explained that it was his blood “poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (vv. 28-35).

How wonderful, O Lord, that You had already made provision for the failure of Your disciples. How gracious and merciful that You told them what would happen and how they would react, so that afterward they did not need to collapse into despair over their failure, but were able to pass through the dark night into dawn of Your forgiveness and restoration. We praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your infinite love that holds us to You and will never let us go.