When Peter stood by the fire in Caiapha's courtroom, it was the greatest crisis of his life. He must have relived it over and over again in his mind, wishing he could take back his words, "I do not know Him!" He had said it not once, but three times. Somewhere in the night a rooster crowed out and reminded Peter of his failure. In that terrible moment, Peter looked over his shoulder and caught the eye of the One who loved him more than life. Peter turned his face from the fire and wept. What hurt Peter more - the smoke from fire in his eyes or the conviction of what he had just done?
It's easy for us to be hard on Peter. How could he have done such a thing? Wasn't it Peter who just hours before vowed, "Others will turn away, Lord, but not me."
Peter's guilt could have caused him to be cynical. "What was I thinking to believe He was the Christ, anyway?" He could have run. He could have become hardened with unbelief. But that's not the Peter we meet three days later running to the empty tomb. That's not the Peter who steps out of the boat to get to Jesus. That's not the Peter that Jesus pulls aside in a private conversation that restores his friendship and ministry. Did Peter and Jesus talk about that terrible moment by the fire in their conversation? We don't know. That's between them. But what we do know is that Peter's crisis had taken him to the right place with God. Sin prompts repentance. And repentance had turned Peter around to meet the face of grace. He recognized his sin. He understood the problem. He turned away from sin and turned to the Lord with a whole heart. He was now stronger, more humble and ready for greater days ahead. That's what revival does.
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