“A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.” Mark’s Gospel chapter 14 verse 72.

This is the closing verse from yesterday and you might think there’s not much to encourage us today by reading the verse again. In another Gospel recording this sad event we also read “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter”. Luke’s Gospel chapter 22 verse 61.

Peter failed his Lord and at a time when Jesus would have valued the support of His friends.
We know how Peter felt as we too have times of failure, when we have disowned and dishonoured the Lord. It must have been bad enough for Peter to remember all that Jesus had told him he would do but then “the Lord turned and looked at Peter”. A look from the Lord of disappointment? That look melted Peter to tears.

The Lord knew the true Peter. When Jesus first met Peter, He knew all about him, his potential and yet his failures. Peter’s brother Andrew first told him about Jesus and Andrew brought Peter to Jesus “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” John’s Gospel chapter 1 verses 40-42.

Jesus never gave up on Peter. Knowing how Peter would deny Him, Jesus told Peter He would pray for Him. After the sad events of Calvary, Jesus rose triumphant from the grave having defeated death and secured eternal salvation through His death. And Jesus went and found Peter and blessed him again, read John’s Gospel chapter 21.

So as the Lord never gives up on us, we can be encouraged today. Happy Monday!