Peter was proud. He had boasted, “Even if all fall away, I will not." But Jesus said "I tell you the truth, today — yes, tonight — before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same (Mark 14:29-31). He thought he could save Jesus. So he sat in the courtyard, still convinced that somehow he could change the course of history.
 
All he succeeded in doing was to prove Jesus right! A simple question, asking if Peter was a disciple of Jesus, showed that his bravery was very shallow. His answer was a lie, a downright lie. It was to be the first of Peter’s three denials, just as Jesus predicted.
 
Pride and lies often go together. We may like to think that we are bigger people than we are; and in thinking that, we are lying to ourselves, and more lies are needed to keep projecting our false image. If we think that we are the answer to God’s problems that is another lie. We may be called to serve God, but if we think that we can protect God we are wrong. Even as we serve the Lord, pride easily rises and we lie to ourselves about our strength and importance – even thinking that God depends on us. And to prove it, we lie to others to support our own pride. Foolishness indeed! It is time to repent!