TODAY IN THE WORD
The late pastor and author A. W. Tozer once said that he doubted whether God could use anyone greatly until He had wounded that person deeply.

For many people whom God has used in great ways that wounding comes in the form of a crisis that strips away the individual’s pride and illusions of self-sufficiency. Peter is a prime example. His very public failure during the crucifixion of Jesus, and the Lord’s restoration of Peter, helped to forge the apostle’s ministry that eventually culminated in the writing of First and Second Peter.

Peter’s pride and self-sufficiency were obvious the night that Jesus was betrayed and arrested. To begin with, only an overly self-confident person would say, “Even if all fall away, I will not” (v. 29).

Even when Jesus warned him pointedly that he would fail and disown his Lord, Peter refused to hear what Jesus was saying. When Peter insisted on his ability to stand firm, the other disciples readily agreed with him.

It didn’t take long, however, for Peter’s weakness to become evident. Jesus and the disciples left the Last Supper and headed for the Garden of Gethsemane, where Peter was given a preview of how he would act under the intense pressure of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.

Three times Peter failed to stay alert and to pray while Jesus was agonizing with His Father in the garden. Recogniz-ing Peter’s position of leadership, Jesus asked him, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” (v. 37).

Since we know the end of the story, it seems plain to us that Peter should have stopped at this point, confessed his weakness to Christ, and asked for His strength. But he didn’t know what to say, and, by the time he had fully recovered from his sleepiness, Judas and the soldiers had already arrived. From that point, things went downhill quickly for Peter.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Peter did not ultimately fail because Jesus was acting as his great high priest, praying for him (Heb. 7:25).

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