Written by Naijuvelin Díaz Leal, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
The word “follow” indicates that we go after, imitate, accompany, or give continuity to something. As far as repentance is concerned, we understand it as ceasing to do evil and changing one's attitude, grieving, and feeling pain for having offended God.
In Luke 22, the Lord Jesus predicts Peter's denial:
‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me’. (Lk 22:31-34 NIV)
When we decide to follow someone or something, that implies commitment on our part; change, union, fidelity, firmness, and transformation, which are all parts of a continuous process that leads us to adopt certain characteristics by which we imitate a model.
Peter experienced the tragic situation of his denial (described in Luke 22:61-62), which he thought he would never do. However, he proved otherwise with his actions, which is why many label him as a traitor or hypocrite. And likewise, turning his eyes to Jesus, he perhaps remembered His repeated questions: "Peter, do you love me?" (Jn 21:15-19) and even though the Lord knew his heart, He gave the great responsibility of caring for the early church to a man with errors, imperfect.
Throughout the book of John, we observe the dominant characteristics of Peter, passionate about Jesus but, at times, dominated by his emotions, in which his impulsive ego reigned more. But in the presence of Jesus, he bowed down. We notice a fragile, grieved Peter, who leads us to recognize changes in attitudes and behaviors that imply recognizing errors, feeling remorse, and taking measures to not repeat them.
To follow Peter in repentance should be to imitate him in the decision to acknowledge sin, turn from it, and follow the Lord faithfully. It is a commitment to change, bearing fruits resulting from repentance, renewing the way of thinking and acting from a spiritual perspective, according to God's will.
Acts 2:14 teaches us the invitation that Peter makes in Jerusalem in response to that repentance that brought about in him restoration and obedience, fulfilling Jesus' previous command, "strengthen your brothers" (Lk 22:32). It is, then, how Peter revalidates this request, strengthens his commitment to follow Jesus and, in turn, leaves us the great teaching that during this process the mercy of God is glorified, which transforms us through the Holy Spirit. This is living in faith in Jesus, fueled not by emotions, but by the Holy Spirit.
Like Peter, you and I go through processes, perhaps on a daily basis, in the face of a world so convulsed that it weakens us until we fall into sin or we err. Let us remember the faithful witness of Peter, who wept bitterly then went on to seek, through his repentance, our Father's forgiveness. Are you willing to follow Peter in repentance? Do you want to be transformed just like Peter was?
To follow Peter in repentance is to reflect him at every step, to regret or feel deep pain for having offended God. By the grace of Christ, are you willing to revalidate the commitment to change and transformation—to continue in holiness?
