Denied and Forgiven

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. John 18:15-27

So today is a holiday, Presidents' Day across the US. Here in Massachusetts today begins a week off for the kids from school. When my children were in school here in the 1980s, they were calling the vacation Energy week, although now, no one here remembers that. When I was a child, we had both Abraham Lincoln's (2/12) and George Washington's birthday (2/22) off from school. In 1971 they were combined and we do little to celebrate either, except to shop. I say all this because today, we read about Peter's adamant denial of Jesus. He pretended to have forgotten the past incredible years in his life. He acted as if he didn't love Jesus and his life had not been transformed by him. We forget and deny so quickly if it works for us. We set aside holy days if they are not convenient. And for Peter, this moment in his life defined everything going forward and Jesus' forgiveness made him the sacrificial leader he became. 

Gracious Creator, you place good leaders in our midst

who help us have deep faith in the most trying times

and who change the course of history with their love.

We stumble, we fall and we deny you every day

yet you pick us up, forgive us and set us on our way

to serve sacrificially so the whole world is renewed.

Help us get up and be those who lead with forgiven hearts

humbly facing each day with prayer and your spirit

so love may flow again on our fractured streets. Amen.