I Won't Let You Down…

In business there is a pitfall known as “over-promising and under-delivering.” Today’s passage shows how Peter walks straight into this pit. Jesus’ warning that all of the disciples will “fall away on account of me” (31) seems to fall on deaf ears. Peter honestly believes that he is spiritually superior to his brothers (33). This is a very dangerous position to find oneself in. To believe that we are better than other followers of Christ around us is to court danger. Christ himself and his power within us can be our only grounds for confidence. Jesus rebukes Peter and gives him a specific time (“this night”) and a specific sound (“before the rooster crows”), when he will disown Christ a specific number of times (“three”). Yet instead of asking for help, Peter remains determined to hold out in his own strength. The fact that this story makes it into the Gospel narratives and is not covered up by Peter (who will lead the early church) proves that great men and women can fall.