Crumbs 143 Denial
Scripture Mark 14:66-72 Web 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.
If I had been the apostle Peter I would have fled to the depths of Galilee. But something held him. It was his love for His Lord. We do well to examine our own hearts before we indulge in a condemnation of Peter.
There was something unpleasant about the maid’s persistent public recognition of Peter. Not all that we know needs to be declared, but for all the things we say we need to calculate what effects will be caused by what we say.
The tears of Peter could have had at least two effects. It could have so preyed on his mind as to render him useless. Two epistles in the New Testament witness that this did not happen. Similarly the letters bare witness that the matter was put right between Peter and his saviour. Part of the reconciliation is recorded I John’s Gospel 21. Lord not only reinstates him but gives him pastoral work to do.
In what situations might we deny Christ ?
When should Christians point out the faults of others?
3. Why should our Lord use brokenness as preparation for a pastoral ministry?
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