Peter

October 21

Luke 22:54-62

A rooster crows

The soldiers that arrested Jesus in the garden took Him to the High Priest’s house. A fire had been lit in the courtyard, and Peter, who wanted to be near Jesus, joined those sitting around the fire. In the flickering light, one of the servant girls recognized Peter, and said, “This man was with Jesus too!”

But Peter said, “I don’t even know Jesus!”

Later, one of the men said, “You are also one of them.”

But Peter replied crossly, “I am not!”

About an hour later, someone else said, “This man is definitely one of them. He comes from Galilee.”

Peter replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

As Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked at Peter. At once, Peter remembered that the Lord had said; “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Then Peter went away and wept bitterly.

Can someone who has denied Jesus still go to heaven?

We don’t get to heaven by what we do (or by what we don’t do). All our good deeds put together cannot get rid of our sin; and no one who has a sinful heart may enter heaven.

You can only be saved from sin when you ask Jesus to forgive you and allow Him to change your life. From that day on, you will always be God’s child—even when you say something wrong like Peter did. If you are sorry for what you did, Jesus will forgive you!

While you are on earth you will never be perfect. Peter discovered that. He thought he would be strong and defend Jesus, but later he became fearful and denied Him. Yet he was still a disciple... and a child of God! And because Jesus loved him and forgave him, he carried on and followed Jesus for the rest of his life (John 21:19).

Whenever you are tempted to take sides with the world, stand firm and be bold enough to let others know that Jesus is your friend.

Verse for today

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith … be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13