Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth. ” But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Mark 14:66-72

Dear God, I wonder what would have happened to Peter if he had said, “Yeah, I’m with him.” I’m mean, he wasn’t the one claiming to be your son or the Messiah. They might have made him testify. They might have beaten him for what they deemed false testimony. Oh, why do I always go down these “what if” paths?

Peter was scared and confused, and he caved. He went into survival mode. Survival mode is, forget everyone and everything else. Forget honor and ethics. There is one priority now and one priority only—for me to survive.

I don’t think I’ve ever truly been there. I can’t think of a time when my life or safety was on the line to this extent. I’ve been fortunate, I suppose. What would I do in this circumstance? Probably exactly what Peter did.

Father, Peter was in such a confused fog. I suppose my prayer for myself is that when I am in a situation like this I will have great clarity and perspective. Help me to see what you see and hear what you hear. Help me to make great real-time decisions so that I might be ready to do exactly what you need me to do in the moment.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen