24.199 | PETER DENIES JESUS | Mark 14:66-72 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

Text: Mark 14:66-72 (ESV)
66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
PETER DENIES JESUS
Let us recall that on the way to the Mount of Olives, Peter was brash enough to swear before Jesus that even if all the other disciples fell away, he would never betray Him (v.31). In the garden of Gethsemane, he drew his sword to protect Jesus (John 18:10). Now, he is witnessing what these angry mob did to Jesus. He was terrified.
He was in the courtyard when one of servant girls of the high priest recognized Peter as one of Jesus’ disciples. While warming himself among the others at a fire, the lady said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” The rooster crowed as he headed towards the porch. The lady saw him again and shouted before the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” Once again, he denied it.
A few minutes later, the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Most probably, they were the same servants and officers who arrested Jesus and brought Him to the high priest's house.
The proud Peter crumbled. When we take our eyes off Jesus and act impulsively, as Peter did, we endanger ourselves. Pride comes before a fall.[Prov 16:18] He disowned Jesus who he promised to protect even unto death. He became inconsistent. Paul warns us about judging the sins of others while we commit the same sins (Rom 2:17-23) ending with, "For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you'" (Rom 2:24).
Then, Peter broke down and wept. All of Peter's grandstanding is swept away. Luke says that at this point, Jesus literally turns and looks at Peter in his eyes (Luke 22:61). In fear for his safety, Peter has forgotten Jesus' warning to him. He finally realizes that all his bravado, claims, and presumptions mean nothing. With this dramatic, soul-crushing locking of their eyes, Peter realizes exactly what he has done, and just how unworthy he is of Jesus. He is full of deceit while Jesus has none. Later on, Jesus restored Peter. At the bank of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus will ask Peter three times if Peter loves Him. Three times, Peter readily admits he has ‘phileo’ for Jesus only. In his humility, he admits he does not have ‘agape’ love for Jesus. He is not able, in himself, to pick up his cross and follow Him [Mark 8:34]. Finally, he becomes open to Jesus to work in his heart so that he can ultimately, follow Jesus to his death.
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