This weekend we continued teaching the kids about Jesus’ last week of earthly ministry, we focused on the biblical account of Peter’s denial of Jesus. We helped the children recognize that Jesus loves and accepts them, even when they make mistakes. Peter is among the oldest and most seasoned of the disciples. His loyalty is shown time and again throughout the Gospels. Peter’s faith in Jesus is so profound that he alone, among all the disciples, gets out of the boat and walks on water to go out and meet Jesus (Matthew 14:28-29). To say that Peter was one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples would not be overstating the issue. For this reason, it seems all the more tragic that it is Peter who so intensely denies knowing Jesus. On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus warned that all the disciples would desert him. Peter passionately denied that he would ever abandon Jesus. Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times before the morning came. Peter remained convinced that no matter what the night might bring, he would never abandon Jesus.

When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed, perhaps in the hopes of discovering what would become of Jesus. While Jesus was being tried by the high priest, Peter waited in the courtyard. The other disciples are not mentioned as being there with Peter, so the story begins with us once again seeing Peter acting as a devoted disciple. However, as soon as a servant girl noticed Peter and began to question him about being friends with Jesus, Peter cracked. Peter gave in to the fear of the moment and denied ever knowing Jesus. Then a second servant said that Peter had to have been with Jesus. Peter once again denied it. Finally, a group of bystanders commented on Peter’s accent and insisted that, of course Peter had to be a follower of Jesus from Galilee. At this point, Peter really lost it. He cursed himself and Jesus, and then swore an oath that he did not know Jesus at all. Then the cock crowed and announced the coming of morning. Peter realized what he had done, ran away in shame, and cried.

Our story this weekend from the Book of Matthew ends with Peter’s denial. There is no resolution no forgiveness from Jesus at least, not accounted here. The story of forgiveness for Peter’s denial is found in John’s Gospel. Does this mean the writer of Matthew believes Peter was not forgiven? Certainly not! But the writer makes a point that no one, not even Peter, the most loyal of disciples, could live up to the call of Christ. We all sin and fail God. Peter shows us that without Jesus, it would be impossible for any of us to be good enough, to be faithful enough to make God’s great love known to the world. Jesus’ life and death alone are what made it possible for us to know God’s great love. No one human, no matter how amazing he or she might be, could ever have taken the place of the Messiah, the Son of God. This week as you interact with your children, remind them that we are not perfect and that we and they will make mistakes, also remind them that Jesus can and will forgive them if they come to him and ask for forgiveness.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16