It must be close to midnight.

After all their long, heart-to-heart talks, Jesus and His disciples leave the upper room. They walk 20 minutes down the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives.

The conversation continues. Jesus warns them. This very night they will all stumble and scatter from Him like startled sheep. They all deny it.

Peter normally speaks for the Twelve. Now he speaks for himself: Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away (Matthew 26:33).

Peter insists that he will be the exception. A cut above the rest. But except for Judas, he will fall the hardest: Truly, I tell you, this very night … you will deny Me three times.

Peter would have done better to hold his tongue. But instead, he crows the loudest: If I must die with You, I will not deny You (Mark 14:31).

He does not yet know himself. Nor the prowess of Satan, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). Nor the saving work of Christ, the Lion of Judah.

Peter’s first mistake was to reject the idea of a suffering Messiah (Matthew 16:22). His next mistake is worse. He rates himself above his fellow disciples and trusts in his own ability to endure suffering and death for Christ.

Peter is no fool. Although he thinks out loud and often too loudly, his love and affection for Jesus are genuine.

But at this juncture, he and his fellow disciples lack humility. While Jesus speaks of His rejection, suffering, and shameful death, they go on about their greatness (Luke 22:24-27). Hubris is not too strong a word. Inflated self-confidence!

Galileans were known to be independent and headstrong. But it is both foolish and perilous to over-estimate one’s strength before the trial begins. Self-assertion and self-deception go hand in hand. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Jesus forgives Peter before he falls. And, although Peter doesn’t seem to hear it, Jesus promises a reunion in Galilee after His resurrection (Matthew 26:32; Mark 14:28; 16:7).

Restoration and renewal will follow. All will be given a second chance. All but Judas, sadly. He left too soon.

PrayerWatch

• Sober up. Think back on your life. In school, at work, or in church ministry, sometimes our track record of success can be our downfall. We start believing our own press. We think we are God’s special gift to humanity. We become addicted to words of approval and affirmation.
   
  The Bible exhorts us to think soberly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). On that fateful night, Peter did the opposite. Ultimately, it is not our self-assessment, nor the opinions of others, but the Lord’s perfect judgment that stands.
   
  Meditate on these words from the Apostle Paul: I do not even judge myself … It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
   
  Pray: Lord, search me. I submit myself to Your judgment. You know me from the inside out. If I’ve grown and flourished in any way at all, it is because of Your grace. I give You thanks.
   
  Show me areas in my life that need Your stern rebuke and discipline. I want to make things right. I confess, if my flesh had its way, I would be worse than Peter! Loud. Over-confident. Obnoxious. Egoistic. Full of hot air. Low on substance.
   
  Left to my fallen self, I like to boast, exaggerate, embellish. Sometimes, even lie. I’m ashamed.
   
  I confess Your Truth: Your Spirit gives life. The flesh is worthless (John 6:63). You oppose the proud. You favour the humble (James 4:6). I repent. Take all my will, my passion, self and pride. I now surrender, Lord, in me abide (J. Edwin Orr).  

• It was through pride that the devil became the devil (CS Lewis). Confront the “devil” in you. Confide in a trusted friend. Make yourself accountable. Pause. Ponder.
   
  Pray: Father, give us the humility which realises its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognises its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke.
   
  Help us always to praise rather than to criticise, to sympathise rather than to condemn, to encourage rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy. And to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for Thy name’s sake (William Barclay).
   
• Are you a slow listener and a fast talker? Like some world politicians and their cringe-worthy lines? Like some of us on social media?
   
  Examine yourself and your speech. For the rest of this day, reflect on these words and pray: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37).
   
  Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight (Psalm 19:14).

Read the devotional from Day 19, July 19: Simon, Simon here.