NOTES for Joh 13:36-38

Before his denial, immediately after the Last Supper, Peter thought that he could serve God, that his love was sufficient, and that he had everything needed to lay down his life for Christ and follow Him. We too often think: “Surely I have enough strength for this,” or “I would never sink so low,” and so on. Then we act even worse, or fail at something much less difficult.

Peter was defeated because he did not say to Jesus, “Help me stand firm; give me the strength to follow You.” As we so often do, he said that he would do it, relying on his own strength. After his denial, repentance, and forgiveness, Peter became the head of the Church; he already knew that all his hope had to be placed in God.

Often even people who are most unsure of themselves are in fact extremely self-reliant. We do not fully realize that without God we could do nothing, including—and especially—following Him. But if we ask Him not to let us deny Him, if we ask God for faithfulness, He will grant it.