Jesus Already Knew

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John 13:36–38

Peter loved Jesus. When Jesus told the disciples He was going somewhere they couldn’t yet follow, Peter immediately wanted to know why. Then he made a bold promise: “I will lay down my life for You.” Peter meant it. In that moment, he truly believed there was nothing that could make him abandon Jesus.

But Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. He told him that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny Him three times. Imagine hearing that from Jesus. Peter was promising his greatest moment of loyalty while Jesus already knew one of his greatest moments of failure was coming.

But here’s what I love: Jesus knew—and He still chose Peter. He had washed Peter’s feet. He had spent years teaching him. He would go to the cross knowing exactly what Peter was going to do. And after the resurrection, Jesus would come looking for Peter again. Peter’s failure didn’t surprise Jesus, and it didn’t cancel Jesus’ plans for his life.

Sometimes we think Jesus loves the version of us that has everything together. But Jesus knows the whole story. He knows our weaknesses, the mistakes we haven’t made yet, the moments when our courage will fail, and the places where we still need to grow. And He still says, “Follow Me.”

Your worst moment doesn’t have to be the final chapter of your faith journey. Peter would fall hard, but Jesus would restore him, and the man who denied knowing Jesus would eventually spend his life boldly telling the world about Him. Failure can become part of your story without becoming the end of your story.

Today’s thought: Have I allowed a past failure to convince me that Jesus can no longer use me?

Circle up!