In this sculpture Josep M. Subirachs has captured a moment when the courage of a man crumbled. While one must travel to Barcelona to see this work you can find his inspiration in the Gospel of Matthew.
Over supper and in the presence of his fellow disciples Peter had insisted he was willing to die for the One who had just washed their feet. He even drew a sword in defense of his closest friend while in Gethsemane. However when challenged by a young girl as to whether or not he knew the Galilean, Peter failed. With an opportunity to stand up as a strong man of principle Peter choked and walked away totally emasculated.
“Now Peter sat outside the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying ‘ I do not know what you are saying’…And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ So he went out and wept bitterly.” (Mat.26: 69-75)
Peter wept bitterly and so have I when faced with the failures of my life. As a husband to my wife and a father to our children there have been occasions when I have blown it in a royal way. I serve as a pastor in a small town and if you know much about small towns, you know there are very few secrets. Even a mans worst failures can be placed under a microscope of public opinion leaving him feeling very much like Peter with no other option but to find a place outside the city to weep and wallow in his shame.
What do you do with a man like the apostle Peter who knew better but screwed it all up in spite of himself? I can tell you what God does with such a man. He offers grace for a wounded heart. In the Gospel of Mark you will find a message was sent to the ladies who had come to the tomb.
Over supper and in the presence of his fellow disciples Peter had insisted he was willing to die for the One who had just washed their feet. He even drew a sword in defense of his closest friend while in Gethsemane. However when challenged by a young girl as to whether or not he knew the Galilean, Peter failed. With an opportunity to stand up as a strong man of principle Peter choked and walked away totally emasculated.
“Now Peter sat outside the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying ‘ I do not know what you are saying’…And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ So he went out and wept bitterly.” (Mat.26: 69-75)
Peter wept bitterly and so have I when faced with the failures of my life. As a husband to my wife and a father to our children there have been occasions when I have blown it in a royal way. I serve as a pastor in a small town and if you know much about small towns, you know there are very few secrets. Even a mans worst failures can be placed under a microscope of public opinion leaving him feeling very much like Peter with no other option but to find a place outside the city to weep and wallow in his shame.
What do you do with a man like the apostle Peter who knew better but screwed it all up in spite of himself? I can tell you what God does with such a man. He offers grace for a wounded heart. In the Gospel of Mark you will find a message was sent to the ladies who had come to the tomb.
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“ But go tell his disciples-and Peter- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
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Did you catch the significance of the message? Peter was not forgotten. God is telling Peter,
" your failure is not fatal." In the resurrection our failure has been swallowed up in His victory and this too is a reflection of grace.
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