After Jesus was arrested and put before the high council, Peter was confronted.
Matthew 26:69-75 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
The overly pious look at this story and get mad at Peter thinking, “Well I would NEVER do that!” However, we can offer a little grace to someone who made the wrong choice while fearing for his life. The first two people questioning Peter were probably just young girls, but in his fear, they were monsters out to get him. Peter starts with simple insincere confusion. Then he gets a little heavier, swearing he doesn’t know anything. And concludes by cursing (at) himself and everyone around him. This shows his utter loss of control.
And as he heard the rooster, he is brought back to himself. The guilt and shame he must have felt in that moment remembering that just a few verses (hours) ago he said he would never deny Jesus.
We always have a choice. In our words and in our actions of showing Christ or denying our association. Sometimes we will make the wrong choice, and in those times we must always remember, there is a pathway home.
I have a feeling Peter acutely remembered this experience as he wrote these words. 1 Peter 3:15 in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.