Peter doesn’t want to see what’s coming. He wants to prevent it. He wants to draw his sword and stop what’s about to happen because in his heart he KNOWS what will come if he doesn’t step in with strength of body and will to protect his friend. Although Jesus told him this was coming, Peter glossed over that bit. He doesn’t want to believe. He wants the GOOD to keep going, and he is willing to fight for it. That twisted crisis inside Peter will lead him in just a few hours to deny even knowing Jesus.
I am the same way. I don’t want to walk through the perils of Holy Week. I don’t want to look at the crucifixion. I don’t want Jesus to die for me because that means I am guilty of something. I don’t WANT to be guilty; I don’t want to be condemned. I don’t want my Lord to be put through the tortures, the rejections, the suffering, and the death that might have been mine. I don’t want to be responsible for all that. It’s just too much to bear.
But then I hear Jesus lovingly whisper, “It’s already done. I took away your burden. No need to fight anymore.”
Jesus wasn’t just Peter’s friend. He was Peter’s Lord and Savior. The Lord made a choice to take our guilt upon Himself so that we would never be separated from Him. The saving was done on the cross through the act of death. That is when the burden of sin was taken away, and our lives were not only spared but treasured and assured.
Dearest Peter, the good keeps going, more than you could ever dream.