The Stalker 🐓

Peter’s journey is one of the most satisfying and beautiful story arcs in the Bible…

At the Last Supper before the crucifixion, Peter makes a bold claim. He tells Jesus, “Even if I must die with you, I will never disown you.” Jesus responds, “Oh, really? You’ll disown me three times before the rooster crows” (but less sarcastic).

That night, Jesus is arrested and taken away. Peter follows at a distance. He warms himself by a charcoal fire in the courtyard of the high priest’s home, where Jesus is being interrogated and beaten. Three times, people recognize him and accuse him of being with Jesus. And three times, he denies knowing Jesus.

At the moment of the third denial, the rooster crows, and Jesus, from across the complex, looks straight at Peter. Realizing what he has just done, Peter leaves and weeps bitterly.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Peter isn’t quite sure what to do with himself after Jesus’ death. He has returned to his familiar life as a fisherman. After a night of catching no fish with six of the other disciples, a stranger yells at them from the shore to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They do – and catch a massive haul of fish.

Jesus had performed this same miracle three years earlier, when He first called Peter to follow Him. Peter then recognizes the Lord. He impulsively leaps out of the boat and swims the length of a football field to Jesus.

He arrives on shore to find Jesus cooking bread and fish over a charcoal fire (a deliberate and sobering reminder). As Jesus serves him breakfast, He challenges Peter’s previous claim of loyalty and asks: “Do you love me?” “Yes, you know I do.”

Jesus asks him again. And then a third time. Three denials. Three opportunities to affirm his love. By the third time, Peter is understandably hurt. Then Jesus’ next words echo the same invitation he had for Peter three years earlier, before his failure… “Follow me!”

The world may operate by a “three strikes and you’re out” rule. But Jesus restores broken people. And He redeems failure. Peter does follow Him. And he becomes the bold leader of the early Church - now grown to over two billion believers. If you’re one of them, and you claim to love Jesus, He has an invitation for you too… “Follow me!”

Luke 22:60-62

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.