Peter’s Journey of Love

You warned me, You told me, You knew what I would do.

My mind was confused, afraid, and even angry with You too.

After all, You’re GOD, aren’t You? I thought we’d nailed that one thing down.

But here You are..You don’t look like God,

Being led to trial all bound!

I stepped in there and tried to help You out,

I mean, I didn’t want to look like a fool!

I wanted to show them, I knew You were God,

I wanted You to prove that You rule!!

I just don’t get You, I can’t understand,

Speak up, for crying out loud!

You’re embarrassing me and I don’t want to admit

I even know You in front of this crowd.

They’re pressing in on me

And You’re not doing a thing,

Now it’s both our necks on the line.

My head is spinning…… I hear a rooster crow….

And I’ve denied You now the third time.

Then my whole world fell apart in that moment

When I turned and looked up at You

Could You not have looked at me with anger or hurt

Or given an “evil eye”?

Instead, that look of deep kindness and love

Stabbed my heart and I wanted to die.

I ran from that place and cried like a child,

I can never face You again!

In a whirlwind of moments, I’d lost my God

And denied my very best friend.

The next few days were more than I could bear,

I felt like I was put through a sieve.

Every horrible emotion imaginable to man

Swept through me and there was no reprieve.

I’d been with You day after day for so long,

Where was I to go from here?

My heart cannot deny that I love You still,

Though with my lips I denied You out of fear.

I should have gone with You straight to that cross

And said, “If He dies, you take me first!”

But no! I let You go to death all alone,

I consider myself accursed!

Oh, Mary, Mary……Mary, say that again!

I’m not sure I heard you well!

His body is no longer in the tomb?

And who did the angel say to tell?

Surely, Mary, He didn’t mention my name!

Oh, John! Come with me, we must find out!

So we ran to the tomb and I stepped inside

No body there, but still I had doubt.

And then, blessed Sovereign, You appeared to me

And later to the rest of the twelve.

And You opened our minds so we could finally understand

The plan You had executed so well.

It all began to make such sense

Why You had appeared so weak

Why You opened not Your mouth, Why they nailed You to a cross

Oh blessed Savior, You had taken on our defeat!

You didn’t come into the world to manhandle humankind

Nor to judge the human race

But to give Your life as a ransom for them

And reveal Your willingness to take our place.

So that all through the ages

To all who believe

And are willing for their lives to be rearranged

You will take on their curses, their weakness, and their pain

And give them Your “perfection” in exchange!

Oh glorious, glorious mystery!

How can such things be?

And how can it be, sweet Jesus

That You desired to use even me?

Yet You told me that day

Before You went away

“Peter, won’t you feed My sheep?”

And You gave to ME the keys to open the door

Of all Christendom to all who believe.

Oh blessed Rock of all ages,

How blessed indeed I have been

That You should make ME a picture for the world

Of my Rock, my Savior, my friend!

You asked me once if I loved You

with a love that would not fail.

I could not say so then

Because my weakness I knew so well.

Ask me once more now, my Sovereign

And I’ll answer you now, not with pride

Oh yes, yes I love You Lord Jesus

And I spread out my arms and died.