Peter Disowns Jesus

Mark 14:66-72
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

72 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.

For Peter, this must’ve wounded him deeply. Jesus knew him so well. He knew that Peter would do this on this night at this time. But rather than be angry with Peter, Jesus let it happen. Why? Why let him suffer?

The answer is this…God knows us. He knows everything about us. He knows every move we are about to make and will ever make for the rest of our lives. The answer is that He wants us to know ourselves. It is through this pain that we are able to learn who we are. To know who we are down deep…To our core. To our soul. To our hearts.

God allows the hard things to happen to us because He sees us as Sons of God. As His own sons. And in doing so, He does what my every perfect father should do. Discipline us, and punish us. The same way that a father must discipline his children. It is for our own benefit. As we go through this crucible of sanctification, we are given the opportunity to press towards God. To hand our lives over to Him so that He can be glorified, and that we can receive grace and mercy.

Through this denial of Jesus three times, Peter learned about himself and he was broken. Jesus will come back and pick Peter up and give him three chances to rebuild himself. Jesus did this for Peter. He did this for us on the cross. Step toward Jesus now. His forgiveness is waiting. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK