Peter Denying Christ by Peter Janssen

31 ¶ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Luke 22:31)

Tonight, being the Thursday before Easter, we read from Matthew the events of the last night of the Savior's life. Cameron was amazed at how Peter could valiantly say "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended" and yet before the night was over deny Christ thrice. I've always taken hope and comfort from the very human story of Peter. Though he walked with Christ, had a witness that Christ was the Son of God, his human weakness prevailed in a moment of trial and testing. But, the story doesn't end there. Peter went out and wept bitterly, recognizing his great failure as an apostle of the Lord. He repented. He took up his cross so to speak and he became the head of the church. He bore testimony of Jesus Christ unfailingly in face of danger and distress until he lost his own life through crucifixion. The Lord knew Peter would fall and He also knew Peter would rise again much stronger and more effective than before.

The Lord has repeated the same warning to us.

18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;

(3 Nephi 18:18 - 19)

We must not take these words casually. They are true. We must watch and pray always, and when we fall, we, like Peter can rise again stronger.