And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:31-33)

Big Words For Small Faith

Words of courage are more easily said before the fight begins. Peter was a confident spirit with more self-reliance in his faith than he possessed. He did not know how much his life would change in less than 24 hours, but nothing could have prepared him for the events that would escalate to the murder of his beloved teacher and friend, Jesus. Among the apostles, there was envy and jealousy who would sit at the right and left of Jesus when He became king. The twelve failed to grasp the nature of the coming kingdom. As a result of their ignorance, they argued among themselves about who should be considered the greatest.

Jesus knew His hour had come, and to hear the twelve arguing among themselves who would be regarded as the most important must have discouraged the Lord. The Lord gently rebukes the proud apostles, reminding them that greatness comes from servitude. To be the greatest among men, one must become as the younger. By directing his thoughts to Peter, Jesus warns him of the devil’s wiles seeking to destroy his faith. Jesus prayed to the Father to protect Peter, but Simon Peter was in a dangerous place. Peter did not understand what Jesus meant and boldly declared his complete, undying, fully devoted loyalty to Jesus no matter what came.

A Roman prison is a very dismal and dangerous place to be. No one wanted to spend time in a Roman jail. To die a martyr’s death is a noble aspiration. Many died for what they believed. Peter affirmed to Jesus with words of courage that he would be willing to go to prison on behalf of Jesus. He would also die for Jesus. Great words. Jesus knew the heart of Peter and understood the words meant a lot to Peter, but Jesus knew how frail Peter’s faith was. Peter did not know how weak his faith was. Courage came quickly for Peter because he had not witnessed the arrest of Jesus by a mob and trials by the Jewish council.

A few hours after Peter’s declaration of courage, Peter denied knowing Jesus. His courage had turned to cursing and then to weeping bitterly. Simon’s faith could not stand the test of those who thought the man sitting near them at the fire was a follower of Jesus. If Peter confessed, they might arrest him and put him in prison. They could have killed Peter for being a follower of the man from Nazareth. Peter denied Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed, Peter’s heart was crushed. Where was the emboldened courage that once passed the lips of the man who walked on water? Big words don’t go well with a small faith.

Peter would rebound from his denial and become one of the most influential parts of the early church. The apostle continued to struggle with his faith. He was less emboldened to speak courageous words without having proper faith. Peter’s epistles reflect the growth of the man of small faith to a disciple with great faith – and courage. If a man must suffer, let him suffer as a Christian and glorify God. Peter knew this lesson all too well.