Before Jesus died, Peter vastly overrated his own strength. He said that even if everyone
else fell away because of Jesus, he would never fall away (Matthew 26:30-35). Yet, just a
few hours later, he did fall away—with remarkable speed. The rooster’s crow brought
everything into focus. At that point, he realized what he had done. He also realized, I
believe, who he was.
I wonder how this one incident changed Peter’s life. I would imagine he was, from this
point on, not one to boast of his own strength. His confidence in himself was certainly
shaken. I am sure he didn’t take part in any more arguments with the disciples about
who was the greatest. The young maid’s question and the rooster’s crow proved
that he was not.
But I’m not so sure that this event was such a great tragedy in Peter’s life. For all the
lessons Peter learned in the three years he spent with Jesus, I wonder if this wasn’t one of
the greatest. It broke him. An unbroken man or woman is useless in the kingdom of God.
This event left Peter with no confidence in himself. If he was to be confident from this day
forward, it would have to be in Someone Else. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
About the author: Tom Kelby serves as president of Hands to the Plow Ministries. Tom and
his wife Sarah have four kids (including one son-in-law) and three grandchildren. Tom and
Sarah live in northwest Wisconsin and are members of Cornerstone Christian Church in
Spooner, WI.
About the illustrator: Mark Yaeger serves as creative director with Hands to the Plow
Ministries and partner / creative lead at DKY, a marketing agency in Bloomington,
Minnesota. Mark and his wife Kelley have three kids (including one daughter-in-law)
and are members of Transform Church in Andover, MN.
