A Miserable Failure or A Great Man of God?

Have you ever felt like a complete failure? Do you know what is right but can't seem to do it? Simon Peter is a great example for us in the book of John. In John 1:42 we watch as Simon meets Jesus for the first time. His encounter with Jesus changes him immediately. When Jesus looked at Simon, He saw him in two ways---what he was and what he could be. Because of what He saw, Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter (which means "rock" or "stone). People change their names for many reasons but the biggest reason for a name change is a new start. The Bible is full of name changes: Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many), Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul. Jesus' name changes are very significant. They are indicative of what God expects to happen in these lives. The name change should equal the life change.

When we see Peter again, he is making promises to Jesus in chapter 13. Jesus is sharing with His disciples about all that is about to happen. He tells them that He will only be with them for a little longer. Peter asks Jesus where He is going and asks to go with Him. Peter even makes the statement that he is ready to die for Jesus. Jesus answers him,"Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me." We make all kinds of promises to God. We promise we'll "straighten up". We promise we'll be more faithful. We make promises just like Peter. So many times we make promises out of righteous piety. We think we are more than what we really are. We think we can't fall. We make promises that we can't keep. The dangerous thing in our making promises to God is that God knows our hearts. He knows our weaknesses and He knows our failures and shortcomings.

Traveling on to John 18 we find Peter again. Jesus had been arrested and Peter had followed Him to the courtyard of the high priest with some other disciples. He was confronted by a woman at the gate who asked if he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter answers "no". Peter then stood around a charcoal fire (remember the charcoal) warming himself and was asked two other times if he was one of Jesus' disciples. Twice more he denied knowing Jesus. The Bible tells us that immediately after this, a rooster crowed.

I can imagine how Peter felt after this. He made a promise to Jesus. He said that he would even die for Him. Now he has denied even knowing Jesus. I'm sure Peter felt like a complete failure. I'm sure Jesus' words were emblazed on his heart. I'm also sure that every single time Peter heard a rooster crow, his heart sank as he remembered and relived his denial of his friend, his mentor and his Savior.

How many times have we failed like Peter? One time, three times or even a million times? Was Peter a miserable failure or a great man of God? Are we miserable failures or men & women of God?

to be continued...