Mark 14:66-72
Here we look at Peter and see ourselves!
Peter recently boasted of his willingness to die for Jesus. Now he denies Him three times!
Peter is one of Jesus’ best students. Now with curses he disavows any association with His Teacher – I don’t know this man!
What happened?
Peter is simply being human. Peter is strong, then weak. Peter is excited, then discouraged. Peter is a fighter, then afraid.
Things like this go with being Peter. With being human!
We’re glad to know of this incident in Peter’s life, because we know the rest of the story.
Peter will reconcile with Jesus. Preach the first gospel sermon. Become a pillar in the church. Write two books of the New Testament. Carry the good news to the world.
Peter will do this. A real human being will do these things!
We love Peter and we love this story because of the redemption in it. His story is our story. His denial is ours. His sin is ours! And his forgiveness ours too!
Sometimes we look at ourselves in the mirror and see the face of Peter? It’s mirror perfect.
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.
Then we see the face of Jesus…
Absolutely great application of the text, Denny.
ReplyDeleteSomething kept sticking in my mind.
They would strip Jesus down and beat him. Scurge Him. Nail him to a cross.
Meanwhile Peter is by the fire, warming himself.
Maybe it's being in Alaska that made me think of this - something I had never caught before. It was cold that night - the night when Jesus suffered for our sins. Among the pain and humiliation and degrading he withstood, he was also stripped down on a night others were needing warmed by a fire.
Just another thing the Teacher endured for us.