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Jan 18, 2024 18:30pm

Pressure

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Peter. A beloved disciple of Jesus. He was devoted, passionate, and willing to die for Jesus’ sake.

Or so he thought.

As he proclaimed those very words, Christ revealed that before the next day he would deny Him 3 times.

No way. Not Peter. Wouldn’t happen.

Luke 22:54-62

“Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

Peter had been a willing follower of Jesus, until the situation changed. Jesus had just been arrested. Can you imagine what was going through Peter’s mind?

You’re the Son of God. How could you allow yourself to be captured? What about your kingdom? How can you reign if you’re behind bars? Or if you die? We gave up everything to follow you.

Perhaps out of fear or weakness, Peter began denying not only that he was a follower of Jesus, but that he even knew Him.

And then the truth was revealed. The rooster was crowing and Peter realized Jesus was right. How could this have happened? How could he, of all people, have forsaken his Lord?

But the story doesn’t end here for Peter. He goes on to be one of the most influential missionaries for Christ. He was once just a willing follower, but because of his experience, he became devoted, one that Christ would use to truly build His kingdom.

Trials. Extreme pressure. Storms. The fire.

I don’t like these any more than you do. But through them, God is working. He uses these experiences to mold and shape us into something He will use for His kingdom and glory.

Like the pressure of the earth creating diamonds out of carbon deposits, God is creating something beautiful out of you. It doesn’t make the trial or the storm any easier. But knowing God is at work is comforting in the midst.