Imagine yourself in the apostle Peter's position.
You'd followed Jesus for several years and had experiences like being able to walk on water for at least a short way.
Jesus is teaching the disciples about the Lord's supper, breaking and bread and serving the wine. Then he turns to you and says:
"Simon, Simon, behold Satan desires you that he may sift the children of the kingdom as wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not; and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren."
Can you imagine being offended like Peter was?
I'm not converted? You're picking me out of this group to say Satan is working hard on me?
Like Peter we might say "Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison and unto death."
Jesus knew that just saying the words was not enough, but they had to be put into action, and Peter wasn't going to be able to do what he said.
"I tell you Peter, that the cock will not crow this day before you will have three times denied that you
knew me."
Peter, your resolve to be a follower of me won't last the night, Jesus was saying.
Maybe like Peter we would say more vehemently:
"If I should die with thee, yet will I not deny three in any way."
The other disciples said similar things, but none of their resolves lasted the night.
Take Peter. Later that night Jesus asked him to pray with him and three times Peter fell asleep instead of helping. Not to put his life on the line, but to stay awake. Peter couldn't do it.
When they tried to take Jesus away, it may have been Peter that struck out with a sword and injured the high priest's servant, but Jesus told him to put the sword away. You don't understand yet, do you, Jesus was saying.
Then three times Peter said he didn't know Jesus, even getting a little foul with his language to emphasize the point.
It was then that the cock signalled morning. This third time Jesus turned and looked at Peter. He didn't say a word, but Peter remembered his promise. And he went out and wept.
When Christ arose, the angels said to the women at the tomb: Tell his disciples -- and Peter (especially?) -- that he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him as he said unto you."
Peter ran to the tomb, saw the death clothes left behind, and "wondered in himself at that which had come to pass."
So did Peter get right at sharing the news.
No. Peter went back to fishing. Jesus had called him from fishing to be a fisher of men, but Peter went back to his old ways when Jesus was gone.
Then Jesus appeared on the shore and gave Peter a fishing lesson. Peter recognized him after getting the big catch at his command and can't wait for the boat but jumps into the sea and heads for shore.
That's when Jesus asks Peter if he loves him more than fishing. Once for the young girl he denied Jesus to when Jesus asks him to feed his lambs. Two more times for each of the others he denied that he knew Jesus to.
Peter was a man of his word this time. And a man who could "strengthen the brethern" with words like those recorded in 1 Peter 2:20-25). It is quite a testimony.
Jesus taught us all a lesson as he did Peter. It isn't just enough to say Jesus is your savior and you will follow him.
You have stay away, you have to control your anger. You have to testify of him instead of by your actions or words show that you don't know him. You can't just fall back into your old habits at the changes, big or small, that come into your life.
Jesus died for our sins that we might live for him.
How sharp are your lamb or sheep feeding skills? Do you even know where the barn is? Are you converted? These are questions for all of us this Easter season.