I’m sure Peter wished his three denials had been in a game of pick-up basketball. That would be more expected among friends. Unfortunately, basketball hadn’t been invented yet. Instead, the denials came when Jesus most needed a friend.
Consider some of the following Bible verses on friendship:
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9)
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV)
“My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me.” (Job 19:14)
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend … Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:6, 9)
“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” (Luke 21:16-17)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)
Jesus has experienced every negative scenario involving friendship mentioned above. He has been abandoned, betrayed, lied to, forgotten, disregarded, wounded, delivered up, and for our sake He even come to ruin. He knows what it is like to be pained by a close relationship. He spent years of His life pouring into His disciples and they couldn’t even stay awake to pray with Him before He went to the cross for them and the rest of the world (Mt.26:40). When there was the opportunity to step up to the plate and stand by his side- not once, not twice, but three times- Peter was out.
Jesus knew His disciples would fall asleep while praying for Him, but still he prayed for them. He knew His disciples would betray Him, but still he went to the cross to die for them. He knew Peter would give up on Him, but still He never gave up on Peter. Later, when Jesus had a chance to talk to Peter after the resurrection, He took the time to gently restore Peter- not once, not twice, but three times- Jesus remained faithful throughout each one of Peter’s failures.
When I think about this, I am encouraged and challenged with two truths:
- Jesus is an amazingly faithful friend. If ever you feel like you don’t have a true friend in the world, you have Him. He will never leave you, fail you, abandon you, or forsake you. He loves you at your worst.
- Jesus’ friendship to us should impact our friendship to others. I should aspire to be a friend like Jesus. I shouldn’t succumb to conditional friendship or revoke my friendship when another revokes theirs. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies. How much more should our friends be able to count on our unconditional love?
Peter and the rest of the disciples eventually learned from Jesus’ faithful example. Legend has it, they all eventually laid their lives down for Jesus in martyrdom or exile. His faithful friendship touched their hearts. May His friendship in our lives do the same.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer