We all mess up…#Lent2026

“Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.” Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We know the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus but he was not the only one to deny Jesus.

All the disciples agreed and stated they would not deny Jesus.

Those few words of Scripture that we can so easily miss.

“And so said all the disciples”

All the disciples were of the same mind.

They would not deny and leave Jesus but the reality was all of them scattered.

It was only a small remnant that stood around the Cross and witnessed Jesus’ death.

We think of Peter’s denial but there was more to the story.

What of the others who denied Jesus and fled.

I’m sure all the disciples felt guilt and shame at their actions.

The knowledge that they had let Jesus down. The confusion and fear.

Then Jesus comes back.

You have to face Jesus, face to face.

Looking into the eyes of the One you let down, the One you abandoned, the One you denied.

No condemnation from Jesus though.

Seeing Jesus forgive Peter and take time to restore Peter in love must have been such a witness to the others of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

What relief.

Peter is forgiven, we are too.

We all make promises to God but the truth is when tests come, we too can let God down.

The thing that we never thought we would do..we do it.

We give in to temptation whether it’s fear, whatever it is.

We are not alone.

There are many who have gone before us who have done the same.

I have too.

We have to choose then what to do with our failure.

We can let that failure cripple us in our faith or we can bring it to God.

We acknowledge it, we say sorry and we ask for forgiveness.

God is faithful in His great mercy and loving kindness to forgive us.

To wipe the slate clean and give us another opportunity.

We will all face our tests of faith.

It’s how we grow as disciples of Jesus.

Some we will probably fail but don’t let it ruin your race, get back up and press on just like Peter and all the other disciples.