Peter got it

 

That night in Gethsemane, Jesus had said to Peter,

“Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

(Matthew 26:40-41 MSG)

Mindful of Zechariah’s prophecy, Jesus told His disciples,

“Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Peter, well acquainted with the Scriptures, had been eager, ready for anything in God as he responded to Jesus’ announcement with, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” (v. 33)

Knowing Peter better than he knew himself, Jesus replied to Peter with a prediction, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

“Before the rooster crows” had a lamentable meaning for Peter. Jesus was giving him a wake-up call about himself; he was going to fall to pieces under pressure, unwilling to stand up for Jesus out of fear of ridicule and worse yet, losing his own life.

But Peter, the leader of the twelve, did not get it, he did not understand, for he vehemently insisted, “No! Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (v 35)

The new day had not yet dawned when Jesus’ prediction came true. 

Peter, the little rock, had broken into pieces. Jesus’ loyal companion for three years, privileged to be in Jesus’ inner circle of three, the only disciple to confess to Jesus’ messiahship, the disciple who cut off Malchus’ ear in defence of Jesus, betrayed Him three times out of sheer fear.

Shamefully, in front of everyone, Peter stoutly denied knowing his Lord, not once, not twice and after the third time, the rooster’s cry rang out and he remembered. As Jesus’ prophetic words seeped into memory, he went away, weeping bitterly (v 75).

Peter had once asked Jesus how many times he should forgive and Jesus answered, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! (see Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus was telling Peter and all present to always forgive; to them it signified something even deeper but that’s a reflection for another day.

After Christ’s resurrection, He appeared to seven of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, John was the first to recognize Him, but Peter, as usual, was the first to act. After they had shared breakfast, Jesus questioned Peter (see John 21:15-17),

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs.”

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

“Tend My sheep.”

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” 

“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep.”

Three times denied, three times set free; free of guilt, free of regret, free of blame, set free to shepherd His sheep. Jesus as the Truth set Peter free.

Peter was radically restored by Jesus to live the life He purchased for him on the cross, even after failing Him thoroughly.

Beloved, God does not discard us when we fall, He reconciles us to Himself (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

During his subsequent ministry, Apostle Peter penned his first letter to Christians who were suffering persecution and could find no redress; in it he wrote,

Keep awake! Watch at all times. The devil is working against you. He is walking around like a hungry lion with his mouth open. He is looking for someone to eat. Stand against him and be strong in your faith. Remember, other Christians over all the world are suffering the same as you are. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NLV)

Peter got it, finally he understood what Jesus was saying that fateful night at Gethsemane; he got it.

Peter got it, finally he understood the Way, the Truth and the Life, the power of agape love and grace and forgiveness; he got it.

Peter got it, after all this time, finally he understood his three-year walk with Jesus, all that he had seen and heard, everything his Rabbi had taught; he got it.

Peter got it, finally he understood all of it, the plan, the purpose, the transfiguration, the pain, the cross, the resurrection, the Father’s will, the Kingdom and the glory; he got it, yes Peter got it.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Peter got it” ©2026 January 26, 2026