Matthew 26:69-75

Matthew 26:69-75 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  How would you like to have your worst moment recorded and discussed for the next 2,000 years?  Here's Peter, scared and alone, feeling as though the walls are caving in and everything is falling apart.  It wasn't too long ago that he was telling Jesus that even if everyone else betrayed Jesus, Peter never would -- he would be the faithful one.  And yet here he is, pressured by the crowds, and Peter does the very thing he said he never would -- he denies Jesus.
  It's his lowest moment, and we pick it apart, identifying Peter's weakness and using it to teach ourselves.  Peter probably didn't expect that this would live on in the pages of Scripture, and I imagine he would have hoped that perhaps this would get omitted.
  Or maybe Peter realized how powerful it was later on.  Maybe Peter looked back and realized that Jesus had predicted this, and yet Jesus loved Peter anyway.  In spite of this, Jesus would use Peter to build the church, to proclaim the Kingdom.  Even Peter's worst moment could be used for good.
  So let's not be too hard on Peter, for we've all had terrible moments we wish we could take back.  And may we give thanks for the God who forgives us and uses our lives to proclaim his grace and love.