Matthew 26:69-75
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Reflection
Despite Peter’s bold claim that he was ready to die for Jesus (Matt. 26:35), he eventually denied that he even knew him (vv. 72, 74), just as Jesus had predicted (v. 34). This did not, however, stop Jesus from being faithful to Peter. Christ paid for Peter’s failures on the cross and restored their relationship (28:7, 10) as well as Peter’s opportunity to participate in the work of the kingdom (28:16–20).
Our failures are not an obstacle for Christ. Because of his sacrifice, those who turn to him and trust him for forgiveness can be restored and made useful for the purposes of his kingdom.
1 Corinthians 10:1-22
10: For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Reflection
Paul now focuses on the problem of idolatry that arises from participation in the religious feasts at pagan temples. Three truths stand out: (1) as Christians, we are joined to Christ and benefit from his sacrifice, which is represented when we eat the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:16–17); (2) the appropriate response to Christ’s mercy is to honor him as our only Lord, and refuse to unite ourselves with false gods by feasting at their tables (vv. 20–22); (3) when we do engage in idolatry (the worship of false gods), God warns of judgment and gives us the opportunity to repent (vv. 12–14). In fact, no matter what sin confronts us, God faithfully provides a means to escape temptation—a promise that encourages us to resist to the utmost of our “ability” (v. 13). It may not be easy, but we can trust that God will help us to “endure” temptation (v. 13).
Psalm 51:12-15
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
God is willing to restore those who have fallen but have returned to him for grace. Humble yourself before God, receive his love, and ask him to use you to minister his gospel of grace to others.