Jesus told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times within a very short time. It’s hard to imagine Peter being willing to deny Jesus even after he was willing to cut off one of the ears of the soldiers ears that were attempting to take Jesus into custody. Peter was a valiant man. He had left all he had to follow the Lord without hesitation. He had followed Jesus through most all the of the trials of His earthly ministry.
Why would Peter show such weakness in the last hours of the Saviors life? The truth is, we are no better than Peter, and he serves as a great example of how we can pick up our selves after we falter and be redeemed through the love of Jesus Christ.
The Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.
“Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret. …
“… If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God” (“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6).
So let us take comfort in the example of Peter. Let’s remember that even the greatest among us need the atonement of Jesus Christ to be made whole. No matter where you are in your life right now, you can make it right through mercy, merits, and grace of Jesus Christ.
All it takes is Faith, Repentance, Baptism (or a renewing of your covenants), The Gift of the Holy Ghost, and retaining a remission of your sins. (articles of faith)
Mosiah 4:11-12
11And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have atasted of his love, and have received abremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own cnothingness, and his dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of ehumility, fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the alove of God, and always bretain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the cknowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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