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10. Peter Denies Jesus (Mark 14:66-72)
MARK 14:66-72
66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know, nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed. 69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” 71 But he began to curse, and to swear, “I don’t know this man of whom you speak!” 72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.
Peter did not want to leave Jesus. He was sure he would see him obtaining victory at the last moment, revealing his own glory as the triumphant Son of God with an amazing miracle before the council of the Jews.
The most prominent among the apostles determined to keep his promise to Christ to accompany him at any cost, without knowing that no man can pay all his vows to God completely or properly, for vows are founded on faith in the weak self, which entails failure in both execution and performance.
The world quickly identifies those who follow Christ, for their faces reflect Christ’s kindness, and manner of life. Their nature cannot be hidden, and the world senses their spirit from afar.
As such, the simple servant girl discovered Peter hiding from the chains and shame of his Lord. He followed Jesus from afar in the dark night, and was a cowardly hero. Thus, he was prepared to deny him from the beginning. Because he did not want anyone to discover, that he was a follower of Jesus he lied. In this manner, Peter denied his Master, and forgot his confession, already revealed by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Hell laughed at Peter’s negligence and false argument. The crowing of the cock was an echo of the devils’ mockery when Peter the most prominent among the apostles, denied his Master. In his wavering following of Christ, Peter became an easy prey to the father of lies. Are you sincere in your faith in Christ, or are you irresolute because you are not born of the Holy Spirit?
Hell completed its victory, for it was not satisfied with small lies, and hasty arguments, but led Peter into definite refusal. He denied his Master before the other woman, and insisted that he had never known him.
Was Peter afraid and anxious to avoid flagellation? Or did he despise the simple woman and the ignorant servants, thinking of disclosing himself before the council, just to show his bravery in following Christ?
Certainly, we do not know the reason. Yet, during the sharp exchange between the servant girl and Peter, those who warmed themselves at the fire paid attention. They gazed at Peter, listened to his dialect, and found that his manner of speaking surely indicated that he was a Galilean like Jesus. Peter did not seize the unequalled opportunity to bear witness to his Savior and his healing miracles, as he had already promised to do, but he cursed himself publicly, as if he had never known Jesus.
This is Satan´s plan: to lead Jesus’ followers into denying their Lord, and let them fall in self-destruction, that he may weaken their faith, and keep them away from Jesus.
Christ had known and seen this event beforehand, and had annulled the victory of hell by his love, for Peter did not hate him in his innermost heart, as Judas did, but he denied him hastily, for fear of the sword. And because of this, he fell into Satan’s trap. Yet, Christ had spoken of the crowing of the rooster for the second time to warn Peter during his third denial. Then the crowing of the rooster pierced his stirred heart. He recognized his failure, and understood that he was not a prominent follower, but an unprofitable liar. He trembled and feared the eternal Judge, despised himself, and wept bitterly.
While Jesus was beaten and humiliated, Peter collapsed in tears, became broken in his pride, and crushed, knowing his failure. Through this repentance, Christ began to renew his disciple, for no natural man can enter into the kingdom of God unless he repents sincerely, denies himself, and becomes renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever heard the crowing of a cock? It reminds you that you are a follower of Christ, maybe from afar. Maybe you are on the verge of danger of denying him, and of falling into a horrible sin. Would that the crowing of the cock awaken you from your deep sleep, and prompt you to confess your sin frankly before the Savior, that you might weep over your shameful self, be saved, and live forever.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, we are no better than Peter. We have denied you thousands of times in our circles, families, and friends, by shameful sins. You know me. Forgive my sin, purify me completely, and free me from my self-trust that I may trust you alone, experiencing your power through following you. Amen.
QUESTION:
- How did Peter become gradually broken?