Have you ever had a bad night? What about a bad week, month, year, or decade?
All of us will fall into one of those time frames. We have experienced a time where we found ourselves in a dark place.
But you must know that not all is lost!
You are not alone. We find men and women just like us in the Bible, who found themselves in a dark place.
One in particular was the apostle Peter. Man, did he have a bad night.
I’m referring to the night he denied knowing Jesus. It was like a scene out of a movie. A movie that ends badly. No one likes that kind of movie.
Jesus warned Peter what was about to happen in Matthew 26:33-35. As Jesus would die on the cross for the sins of the world, Peter would deny Him!
This was too hard to believe for Peter. No way he could do this right?
After all it was Peter who saw the miracles of Jesus, saw the transfiguration, and walked on water with Jesus.
Denial? Never!!! Impossible!
But it would end up being a bad night for Peter. He was still naive about a few things.
After all, it was Jesus who had warned him about the attack the devil was going to bring his way. Peter should have taken those words seriously!
The devil attacked him in a way that if Peter would have known in advance,he probably would have laughed!
He would tripped up by a young girl, Matthew 26:69-75. Just as Jesus said.
The pressure got to him. But that may not be the worse part of the story. What could be worse you ask? I’m so glad you asked! Think about this…
After Peter denied knowing Jesus, we find in Luke 22:61-62 where it says…
“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly.
Whoa! What a bad night! How do you overcome that? Many wouldn’t!
Judas would betray Jesus and commit suicide, Matthew 27:1-5. That wasn’t the answer. Thankfully Peter wouldn’t. I can only imagine how long he wept. How hard did his body shake? His identity was found in Jesus, and now he lied knowing about the one who could turn water into wine, raise the dead, heal the sick (including his Peter’s mother in law), and cast out demons!
A Bad Night…
Jesus would die on the cross! I’m sure Peter felt like dying too. But not all was lost. Early on a Sunday morning, something miraculous would happen! Jesus would rise from the grave! Yes!
You see, just as Peter had a hard time believing the words of Jesus about denying Him, he also had a hard time believing that He would rise.
But because Jesus rose from the grave, Peters Bad Night would turn into a Great Morning. There was H.O.P.E.
A renewal would take place. A second chance. Another opportunity would be given! That’s what we like to see in movies. There would be no fade to black for Peter…he would rise from his defeat because Jesus rose from the grave.
The Sun would rise in the morning…
The Son would rise on the third day!
Cmon now!
The wave of guilt Peter had would eventually be turned into waves of praise for the King of Kings. Because of the resurrection, Peters doubt would be removed. He preached with confidence on the Day of Pentecost! Fears were shattered! No more denying His King…
Now, for Peter it was all about Declaring His King to others!
A Bad Night…A Great Morning.
Have you had a bad night, week, month, year, or decade? All is not lost because Jesus has risen from the grave! Can I get an Amen?
Therefore, you have hope. So do I!
Do you need to access this hope? This amazing grace? It’s available for you to drink freely from, Romans 6:23.
Peter would talk about receiving this grace in Acts 2.
Acts 2:21…And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Peter would preach that all can be saved!
Peter taught that salvation is found in Jesus, the miracle worker, the Son of God, who rose from the grave, Acts 2:22-32. Jesus is reigning in heaven right now!
He is both Lord and Christ.
When the people asked what they needed to do in Acts 2:37, listen to Peters response…
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
That’s how they were to call in the name of the Lord (2:21).
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
They weren’t saved just because they asked the question. They needed to DO what Peter said to receive Gods grace.
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Those who wanted salvation did what Peter taught!
Those in the crowd had a bad night! But they could have a great day! So can we.
If we’re willing to follow the words of Peter (inspired by the Holy Spirit). Not everyone on that day did. Will you?
Turn those tears of despair, guilt, hopelessness, into tears of joy!!!
Yes!!!
Maybe you are already a Christian. You can still have a bad night. We can deny Jesus too. We can deny Him…
By refusing to talk about Him.
By refusing Him to rule in our hearts.
By refusing to forgive others as He instructs.
We can have a bad night! But not all is lost for us either. He’s risen from the grave. We too can have a great morning, 1 John 1:8-10.
The Tomb Is Empty!
He Has Risen!