Mark 14:66-72
“A While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When sn mhe snaw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing page mom around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.“
Mark 14:66-72 NIV
Peter needs to warm his soul, but the fire can warm only his body. The chill that Peter faces is the kind of chill that descends on those who are profoundly disappointed, confused, and disillusioned with their faith.
Peter could not stay awake in the Garden while Jesus prayed. Even though he drew a sword and tried to start a fight with the enemy, when Jesus told him to put the sword away, he didn't know what else to do.
When the Lord was led away by an angry mob that had been directed to the place of prayer by Judas, one of Peter's friends, Peter's heart was broken and conflicted.
So now, as he warms himself in the night chill, he is about to face a deeper chill, the chill of failure, brokenness, and defeat.
When we find ourselves battling with those same issues, we need to remember that Peter's story doesn't end with his weakness, abandonment, denials, and failure. His story ends only after God uses him mightily. God can use each of us that way, too, if we will only let him.
What motivates us to deny the truth? It really isn’t all that complicated. Doesn’t it usually have something to do with either what we hope to get, or what we hope to avoid?
And in that, doesn’t denying the truth usually flow from a place of self-interest? Beyond that, isn’t it true that, if we deny reality consistently, relentlessly, shamelessly, we might have the power to replace reality in peoples’ minds with a new version of the truth that better serves your purposes?
We learn that lesson in childhood. We learn it as we contort the truth to get away with something. If it works, we do it again. If it keeps on working, we keep on doing it. If we keep on doing it, it becomes a feature of our character. It might even come to define us.
Peter is losing the plot. Whether out of fear, weakness, lack of conviction, or the sheer pressure of the emotion of the circumstances. Whatever the emotional resonance of the sin of denying Jesus, for whatever reason Peter denies Christ three times. Just as Jesus predicted.
With the crow of the rooster, Peter is reminded of what Jesus had told him that he would deny Jesus. Realizing that he has done what he promised he would not do, this big tough fisherman broke down and wept.
Peter is not the only one to have denied Jesus. It is of great encouragement to us all that this Peter becomes such an important shepherd in the church of Jesus Christ. God is the God of second and third and fourth and fifth chances.
God loves us as we are, dies for sinners like us. That does not remove the pain of denial or sin, witness the anguished tears of Peter. But it does mean that when we turn from our sin, there are the ever waiting arms of our loving God to welcome us prodigals back again, embrace us, and restore us to his favor and joy.
Do not deny Jesus, whether in word or deed. But if when/you do, remember, he who says he has no sin deceives himself, but if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Whenever I read the story of Peter’s denial I remember how John would later write the Jesus story. At the end, after Jesus rose from the dead, He shows up along the side of the Sea of Galilee to cook breakfast for the disciples who had spent the night fishing.
They had returned to their old lives. When Peter sees Jesus on the shore he dives into the water and swims into his presence. We know why. We know what Peter was seeking. Mercy. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. And that is exactly what he received.
And then Jesus gave him a gift and it’s our gift as well. Jesus gave him a sense of purpose. Love my sheep. Feed my sheep. Live, not for yourself, but for the sake of others. The truth set Peter free and does for us this day!!!
Father thank You for this day and for forgiving us and healing us today. Lord let Your storehouses of abundant blessings fall upon my friend and family today. Lord we need Your grace, but most of all we need You. Lord, we’re not shocked by Peter’s denial. We’ve heard the story before. This time, let this story speak deeply into our hearts, calling to mind the many times and many ways that we have ran from the truth in self-serving ways. Lord You named the evil one the father of lies and you promised that it would be the truth that would set us free and may we trust that to be true. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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