Have you ever had one of those long days where you have lost track of what is happening? Some folks have been pushed to that very point and beyond. When people are pushed beyond their limits they discover something new about themselves that they didn’t know before. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes we wish we’d never knew about ourselves. For example, as you read Mark 14:66-72 Peter will learn more about himself and more about Jesus before the rooster crows twice. First we must ask what led to Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus? A couple of things actually. Jesus was committed to the Father’s will and plan as revealed written in the Scriptures. Jesus had already told them about his upcoming death, burial and resurrection three times. That even before the meal was over Peter learned that he along with the rest of Jesus’ disciples were going to desert him. He even learned that he would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice. It’s at this point that the heart of Peter was revealed to all in the room. His pride and arrogance that was in his heart told Jesus no, not me. As the night wore on Peter’s exhaustion was revealed. He fell asleep instead of praying and watching with the Lord Jesus. He tried to defend Jesus in his own strength by cutting off Malchus’ ear. Jesus had to put his ear back on. The rest of the disciples scattered except for Peter and John. Because of John’s connections he got himself and Peter in to watch what was going to happen to Jesus. Note what is written in the Scriptures about Peter- he was following at a distance. Exhausted and cold he sat down and warmed himself by the fire that others had made. He let down his guard and then it happened. A servant girl identified Peter and connected him with the Nazarene, Jesus. He boldly denied it. A rooster crowed! The second time this happened, he denied it again. Then of all people a bystander points out that he is a Galilean and this time he invokes a curse on himself and swears that he does not know Jesus. Then the rooster crowed a second time. Luke points out the fact that Jesus turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord Jesus had told him. It’s at this point that he is broken. Maybe he not only remembers what Jesus had told him that night but maybe also the sermon that he had preached to the crowd about denying him before others and that he would deny that person before his Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:33) Peter’s brokenness that evening was a blessing. He cried over his sin! When was the last time you cried over your sin against a holy God! Peter that evening would repent of his sin! Have you repented of your sin? How do we know that Peter repented of his sin? Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” Three times. You can read Peter’s response in John 21:15-19. Please take some time and examine your relationship with Jesus. This is the most important relationship that you will ever have.
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