We saw over and over in our Old Testament readings so far (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Moses) that these men were far from perfect. In fact, flawed might be a better word. And the men Jesus chose were flawed, too.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 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 26.69 – 75, ESV)

Luke adds this sentence after the third denial: “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (Luke 22.61, NIV)

Looked at him how? “See, I told you so!” or “You are such a loser!” or “I still love you, Peter.” We know that Peter tried to run from the whole affair, but Jesus reinstated him (see John 21.1 – 19). In short, Jesus accepts us: flaws, shortcomings, and all.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103.13 – 14, ESV)