Mark 14:66-72

Passage

While Jesus was on trial, Peter was warming himself in the courtyard.  A slave girl of the high priest came up to Peter and asked if he was with Jesus.  Peter denied it and moved away from her.  A rooster crowed as Peter went into a gateway.  The slave girl pressed the issue, telling others that Peter was one of them.  Again Peter denied it.  A little later, even more of the people agreed with the slave girl, recognizing that Peter was a Galilean.  Peter invoked a curse upon himself and swore that he did not know Jesus.  Immediately a rooster crowed again.  Peter remembered how Jesus had said that Peter would deny Him.  Peter broke down and wept.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I think this is a favorite story for many people.  It isn’t a favorite in that it is a pleasant story.  Rather, it is a favorite story in that it illustrates Peter’s weakness and his humanity.  Peter was likely the person to whom Jesus was absolutely the closest, and even Peter failed Jesus.  If Peter can fail Jesus and still find eternal life, then we understand that the same is true about us.  We don’t like that Peter failed; but we appreciate that in spite of his failure grace can come to him.

What does this story help us understand about being transparent to those to whom we are ministering?  While we don’t necessarily want to tell everyone every problem we have, how can our own failures be important to hear for those whom we are discipling?

Second Thought:

Jesus words came true.  Earlier in the story, Jesus told Peter what would happen.  Peter refused to believe it.  In the end, Jesus was right and Peter was wrong.  God is truth.  God knows what will happen.  He doesn’t force it to happen, but He knows.

Why is it important to realize that God knows what is true and we don’t always know what is true – even about ourselves?  Why don’t we always know what is true about ourselves?

Third Thought:

When the truth was revealed to Peter, he broke down.  I think he broke down for two reasons.  Yes, I think he understands that he just denied Jesus and that had to have hurt.  However, I believe there is a deeper reason.  I believe it is at this moment that Peter understands his own humanity better.  When he comes in contact with his inner essence – the self-monger that is ultimately interested in self-protection – it breaks him.

Why are we often broken when we receive a glimpse of who we really are on the inside?  In what ways do we create façades that even fool ourselves about who we are at our very core?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 15:1-5