Peter should never have been in that courtyard mixing with the soldiers and servant girls. His arrogance, pride or bravado took him there. Perhaps it was his misplaced sense of responsibility for Jesus. Whatever it was, he failed to live up to his own expectations that night. His accent (from Galilee in the north) gave him away, and many people would have seen the distinctive fisherman with Jesus.
 
One girl came over to him, saying that he was with Jesus. Peter denied it. Everybody heard and their attention now focussed of the stranger. Getting uncomfortable and frightened, Peter tried to get out of the gate but he overheard another girl telling the people round her that he was one of the disciples. He started to swear that he knew nothing about Jesus – what a lie. But the collection of bored soldiers and servants persisted. The third challenge made Peter very frightened and he angrily cursed himself if he should be lying.
 
Just then a cockerel crowed its greeting to the new day, as the first light of dawn relieved the blackness of the night. It was just as Jesus had told him (Matthew 26:34). The Master knew Peter's weaknesses and the details of this second betrayal, hours before it happened. But for the first time, Peter knew that everything he had said about being loyal to Jesus was a lie as well. Far from being strong to protect Jesus, he had failed three times. He sobbed and wailed in his deep internal misery as he realised that he had let his Lord down; and that Jesus knew his brave persona was a lie as well.
 
Weeping for sin is a good thing (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). It shows that reality has dawned: we have come to the end of our proud lies and we are willing to be honest with God. There is nothing more to pretend and nowhere else to hide. Tears of repentance, a broken spirit and a contrite heart will never be despised by God (Psalm 51:17). It is not a character-fault to be deeply ashamed of sin; it is the only way to repentance, confession and restoration. When a brother or sister is in distress over their sin, do not comfort them falsely by telling them it is not that bad – it is always worse than we realise and the only cure is forgiveness through the grace of Christ. Seek that grace and experience His mercy (Isaiah 55:6-7) and forsake that old life with His help.