Jesus Knows and Governs Your Future to the Millisecond

Articles

Jun 26

ARTICLE • As the disgraced Apostle Peter learned, we can entrust our future to our meticulously knowledgable, powerful, and loving Savior.

Read time: 7 min

In the Gospel of Luke, we find a poignant narrative that showcases Jesus’ divine foreknowledge and sovereign control over future events. The story centers around Peter’s denial of Jesus.

A Detailed Prediction

Knowing the trials of faith that lay ahead, Jesus warned Peter of his impending betrayal. In Luke 22:31-34, Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter, confident in his loyalty, declared, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus responded with chilling precision: “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus’ prophecy is remarkable for its specificity. He didn’t merely predict a general betrayal; he pinpointed the exact number of denials and tied them to a specific timeframe marked by the crowing of a rooster. This level of detail shows Jesus’ intimate knowledge and governance of future events down to the millisecond—as we will see.

A Painful Betrayal

As the night unfolded, we see Jesus’ words come to fruition. In the courtyard of the high priest, where Jesus was facing an illegal nighttime trial, Peter was confronted three times about his association with Jesus. Each time, he vehemently denied knowing him (Luke 22:54-60). The third denial was particularly striking:

"But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed" (Luke 22:60, emphasis added).

The timing here is crucial. At the very moment of Peter's third denial, the rooster crowed—precisely as Jesus had foretold. What are the odds that Peter’s third denial would be exactly simultaneous with the crowing of the rooster? This was no mere coincidence; it demonstrates not only Jesus’ knowledge but his complete superintendence of the events. The rooster’s cry served as a divine punctuation mark, signaling both Jesus’ providential rule and Peter’s failure.

What's equally astonishing is Jesus' awareness of this moment amidst his own grueling trial. Luke 22:61 tells us,

"And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord."

Despite the chaos of his arrest and the shouts and slaps of his accusers, Jesus was acutely aware of Peter’s actions and the fulfillment of his prophecy. His gaze across the courtyard at that precise moment manifests his intimate awareness of the event, even in his hour of enormous crisis.

A Loving Restoration

The story doesn't end with Peter's failure. In John 21, we see a powerful scene of restoration and redemption. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He specifically addressed Peter, asking him three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15). Each time, Peter responded affirmatively, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you,” (John 21:15). Jesus then commanded him, “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). This threefold restoration mirrored Peter’s threefold denial, highlighting his forgiveness and full reinstatement. Jesus proved His power not only to predict and govern the details of Peter’s future but also to redeem it.

Recall the other half of Jesus’ prediction. Jesus’ providential control included the extent to which Satan could accost Peter:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Despite his power, Satan could only tempt and harm Peter so far. And despite Peter’s profound failure, Jesus once again commissioned his fallen apostle with significant responsibilities in Jesus’ kingdom mission as a trophy of the transformative power of God’s grace and forgiveness.

A Timeless Lesson

This story reveals that Jesus doesn't just know our futures; he orchestrates them. From Satan’s attacks to Peter’s sin to the rooster's crow, the future was predicted and sovereignly superintended to the millisecond.

The precision of Jesus’ prophecies and their detailed fulfillments should stir us to wonder and worship. We serve a Savior who knows our weaknesses, foresees our failures, and yet loves us through it all. He governs all events, from the grandest celestial movements to the crowing of a single rooster, all for his glory and our ultimate good.

As we contemplate this narrative, may we be filled with awe at Jesus' omniscience, sovereignty, and redeeming love. May we find comfort in knowing that even our failures are encompassed within God’s perfect plan. And may we, like Peter, experience the restoring grace of our Lord, who knows us fully, loves us completely, and redeems even our failures for his glory. ❖