I. Confession is important
Matthew 16:13b-16 ESV
…He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 26:31a NLT
31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me.”
Matthew 26:33-35 NLT
33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
Matthew 26:69-74 NASB
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.”74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
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II. Confusion: Jesus was not the Messiah Peter expected.
If you are not careful expectations can destroy your faith.
Peter was not the follower he thought he would be.
Matthew 26:75 NASB
75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
John 20:1-4 NLT
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
Jesus wasn’t the Messiah Peter expected, Jesus was greater than He imagined!
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III. Clarity: Hope is in the empty tomb.
Peter wasn’t defined by failure, he was defined by hope.
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