And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.   Matthew 26:75 ESV

In the pre-dawn hours after the arrest of Jesus, Peter was determined to see if he could find a way to free him. First he followed the soldiers as they led Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But as he entered with John through the doorway a young servant girl who was watching them asked curiously, “Weren’t you one of them with Jesus?” Maybe Peter turned with a distracted look on his face to answer, “No, not me. You must be mistaken.” Then He moved on to try and plan what to do next. But another person pointed at him saying. “Oh yes I am sure I saw you with him!” But Peter shook his head and looked away saying, “You must be mistaken. I do not know this man.”  Finally as he worked his way closer to where Jesus stood Peter tried questioning the others around him to find out what was going on when someone tapped him on the shoulder saying, “Hey buddy, I am sure by your accent, that you are from Galilee. You are one His disciples aren’t you?” “Me. Are you kidding?” Peter nervously answered and as he began to curse and swear a rooster crowed and he remembered what Jesus had told him. Worse yet, Jesus turned and looked right at Peter.  In that instant he knew that he had miserably failed, just as Jesus had said. But there remained hope, even as he ran out weeping in disgust at his own weakness. There was great hope for Peter, just as there is for us. After the resurrection, Peter, discovered that his failure was the beginning of hope built on mercy and held together by the love of Jesus Christ.