“"I'm not going." Peter rested his elbows on the table and hid his face in his hands. The silence contrasted with his heavy sigh, which was louder than he intended.

"Why can't you believe me?" Mary's voice broke as she turned towards him and gently touched his arm. She waited, but Peter didn't react, so she tightened her grip on his shoulder. "I'm not making it up."

"I know." Peter said and clenched his hands into fists bending his head even lower. Mary looked around, but none of the disciples moved. Andrew cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "If you're not coming…" He didn't have to finish.

"But I can't!" Peter's voice barely made it through his clenched teeth. "Not after all I've done." He said and lifted his face looking straight into his brother's eyes. "Don’t you get it?”

Mary knelt next to him, holding his hand in a tender embrace.

“Peter,” She said in the softest voice and pulled his hand even closer to her heart. “But the Master was very clear.” She nodded, waiting for him to return her gaze. “He said: tell the disciples and Peter. He named you.” Their eyes met.

Curious to Learn Some More About This Story?

Peter is probably my closest friend, and I love him: he leads me from the destructive fire of betrayal to the cleansing fire of confession. And that’s our journey through the Holy Week when we pray for the renewal of our shoulders. Our shoulders called to bear the cross.

Jesus promised us an easy yoke and a light burden, yet it doesn’t always feel like that. Sometimes standing up for my faith seems just impossible, and I fail. Peter is there to catch me. He’s the one to embrace me in my weaknesses. He reassures me time after time that no sin is unforgivable. Not for our God.

Our God is waiting at the fireplace, preparing the nourishment for our salvation. He doesn’t ask, “what did you do for me today?” He doesn’t list our shortcomings. Doesn’t expect any improvement. He doesn’t wave with his finger saying, “I hope that was the last time”.

Our God wants nothing but to be loved, and he himself teaches how to live within that relationship. His teaching doesn't come through instructions but through acceptance and forgiveness. He calls us from the darkness into his wonderful light and waits to give his mercy.
Like Peter, I hope to always jump out of the boat and run to my Saviour. Run to meet my Saviour despite who I am and because of who I am.  Like Peter, I want to love more than I’m capable of, and like Peter, I want to remain faithful despite my weakness.