This is the third in a series of four articles looking at Peter's denial of his Lord and his eventual restoration. We have considered the stupidity of self-confidence and the downward steps of denial with the plea that we seek to avoid such mistakes. This time we look at the repentance of Peter immediately after his fall, as recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Here we learn how to start out on the arduous road of repentance. As we consider what happened in Peter's case so we learn what may bring it about for us. Ideally, we ought not to fall, but when we do we need to know how to repent.
1. The Causes of Repentance
What causes a person to repent? That is an important question as we are never likely to repent if we do not know the steps that lead to it. Ultimately, we have to say it is in God's sovereign power. He gives repentance. However, it is worth considering how it was given to Peter so that we may recognise the gift when it comes. Here we see the conjunction of three typical elements, each intimately connected to the other and each important in its own right.
A. The Timing of Christ's Providences
In Israel, cockerels apparently tended to crow, for three to five minutes, at three specific times - about midnight, just before dawn and then an hour later. Matthew (26:74) and others tell us that a cock could be heard crowing in the courtyard of the High Priest just as Peter denied Jesus the third time. As soon as he heard the sound, Peter was understandably convicted of his sin and hurried away full of remorse. Cock crow happened every night. It had happened twice before that night and Peter had not reacted. But this time it was different. Similar everyday events have had their effect on backsliders many times since. Think of the effect on some of seeing a church building, of a certain time on a Sunday morning, of certain books, certain names. A little word can sometimes be very powerful in drawing sinners back even after a long time away. For Peter, cock crowing had been tied to denial by someone else. We can be sure he could never hear a cockerel in the same way again. Many of the associations in your mind have been enforced by others but surely we can help ourselves too. We ought to do all that we can to tie the whole of our lives to the things of the gospel - times, places, occasions, friends, possessions, etc. Thomas A Kempis made it his habit to sanctify every place where he went by praying there. We should similarly seek to sanctify all our associations.
B. The Sight of Christ's Face
How is it that Peter did not notice cock crow the first two times? Luke reveals an important piece of information in 22:60, 61a. This cock crow coincided with an important moment. How it happened we do not exactly know. Probably, Jesus was being transferred from the court to the prison. At that very moment Peter looked up and saw his Master face to face.
1) By the Spirit Jesus is today always looking at his people. At that time there were many other things to occupy him following his arrest but for that brief moment he had eyes only for Peter. Now glorified in heaven, this is true for every believer all the time and especially for those who are backsliding and have fallen into sin. Jesus looks at you. His face never turns away.
2) Of course, not only did Jesus look at Peter but Peter looked at Jesus. The first thing we must do at the realisation of sin, is to turn our eyes to him. That is not easy. Our natural inclination is to turn away from his penetrating gaze. Think of Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden. But we must look. This is our only hope. We must 'Turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face'. He is no longer here bodily, of course, but we still need to remember him
3) What did Peter see when he looked? It is clear from Isaiah 53 that he would have seen an unattractive sight. A man bloody, thorns on his head, spittle on his face, a man in great pain. It is not a pleasant sight. And so when we think of the crucified Saviour and remember it was for our sins he suffered and died, it cannot be easy.
4) Peter must have seen disappointment in Jesus's eyes too. Surrounded by enemies, under fierce opposition, Jesus looks to his chief disciple and there is nothing.
5) But surely he must also have read pity in those eyes. Jesus is willing to forgive. Perhaps this hurts more than anything. If only we could do something to amend, to ameliorate, to make up for what we have done. But there is nothing we can do to put it right. He has done it all. Whenever we become conscious of sin, then, we should go straight to Christ and look to him. He is watching believers always. The great antidote to sin is to keep the face of Christ always before us. We do that, not through a crucifix or some other form of idolatry, but through prayer and the Word and a life of keeping Christ always in our thoughts.
C. The Remembrance of Christ's Words
See Luke 22:61. Suddenly, it all came flooding back. This is our experience too. Suddenly, we remember Christ's warnings, his Word. Peter remembered not just Jesus's words but the words being spoken. So for us, it is not just the bare word but the context too. Have you ever sat in a meeting or read a book or prayed a prayer and resolved to be wholly committed to the Lord in future? Yet you have drifted from those resolves. Then in some way you are reminded of that prayer or that message and it all comes back. This reminds us of our continual need to be exposed to the Word. Learn it; immerse yourself in it; wrap yourself in it so that it is constantly coming back to your mind.
2. Expressions of Repentance
Once under conviction how should you react? Obviously true repentance involves stopping doing a thing, resolving never to do it again and seeking to put things right. But what comes first? Peter here acts instinctively. It is very instructive. Both as a warning against sin and as a pointer to how repentance should be initially expressed. Do not be like Judas - full of remorse but not repentance. Rather be, like Peter, genuinely sorry and repentant. Notice,
A. Wanting to be Outside
All three Gospel writers notice Peter's immediate instinct to go outside. Why?
1. He fled in shame from those before whom he had just denied his Lord.
2. He fled too in shame from the Master he had so wronged. Compare Luke 5:8. No doubt he also desired to be alone to humble himself.
B. Thinking it out.
He probably did not break down (Mark 15:72, NIV) but began to think on what he had done. As the Prodigal coming to himself, he began to think straight again.
C. Bitter Weeping
All three Gospel writers mention this too. He burst into tears, he began to weep, and was unrestrained in it. Why?
1. He saw the deceitfulness of his heart. Our hearts are treacherous and we cannot trust them.
2. He saw the weakness of the flesh.
3. He remembered Christ's agony for him. This we must never forget.
4. He thought on the pardon that Christ gives. See Luke 22:31, 32.
5. Most melting of all was the fact he truly loved Christ and yet had failed him. It is when we get these things into our minds that we begin to be truly sorry.
This article first appeared in Grace Magazine
