There are different types of people. Some of them walk as minor kings supposing themselves to be mighty heroes. Others bind themselves to complexes and fear that they become ashamed of lifting up their eyes towards the others, while their backs are bowed and pressed.
The first are reproved by the Lord for their pride and haughtiness, and the others are comforted and encouraged by him that they may overcome fear.
God loves the sinners notwithstanding their sins, and he guides them to repentance and faith in the meek Christ.
Peter was the most forward and influential among the disciples. Being bred a fisherman, he was accustomed to stand boldly against the dangers and overcome them. At the same time, he had a great stock of confidence. He did not recognize the authority’s trick, or the power of darkness that fell upon Christ at that time. He was unaware of the limits of his power, and his pride was never broken.
He protested when Christ told them about the great stumbling block which was coming upon all the disciples.
God himself allowed this stumbling block. It is of his love plan, for he had decided, before time, to strike the shepherd that the sheep might be scattered.
Peter did not understand the meaning of that prophecy. He was prepared to struggle even against God’s design and Satan’s trick only to protect Christ, and keep him from death. He was ascertained that Jesus was the faithful one and the champion of the holy war. This reveals to us that Peter did not actually know himself. Moreover, he knew neither God’s will, nor Satan’s power. Accordingly, his failure was inescapable.
Yet, Christ knew that his cross was the only way to extinguish God’s wrath, which was about to fall on his disobedient sheep. The Shepherd suffered for the sheep, and preferred to die instead of them.
Before his death, Jesus was ascertained that he would rise and gather his scattered sheep to guide them and greatly multiply them. Since that time, the comforting emblem of the believers was Jesus’ statement: “I will go before you.”
He goes before us in all the problems of our life. We are neither alone, nor defeated. The Good Shepherd stands beside us. He strengthens us and waits for us wherever we reach and wherever we are.
However, Peter wanted to lead his life by himself. He did not hear the clear warning of Christ, but believed in himself.
Of course, he did not mean to deny Christ. He was true in his determination to defend Jesus, as the disciples testified to him that he was prepared to die for or with Christ. But all these words were full of emotion. Emotions are not sufficient in following Christ, for the way leading to hell is paved with good intent.
Jesus foresaw Peter’s falling and denial, and warned the most forward among his apostles. He gave him a sign of God’s faithfulness when he explained to him the crowing of the rooster to help him to repent.
Some churches put a brassy image of a crowing rooster on their towers to remind those who enter of their sins, and their inability to struggle against Satan, also of the necessity to come to the mighty Savior penitently and give up themselves to his love.
Paul explained to us the meaning of following Jesus, saying: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure.”
This is the mystery of those who win the obedience of faith. It is that they neither rely on themselves, nor trust their emotional faithfulness, nor believe in their own power, but they come brokenly to Christ asking him to perform his will in their weakness, and to pour his power into their shortage that his kind designs may be realized through his Holy Spirit.