How often do we hear but not hear? That was Peter’s problem in Mark 14:27. “Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”” (Mark 14:27–28, CSB) What Peter heard was an affront to his pride.
Peter responded, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.” (Mark 14:29, CSB) That happens to us. Someone says something that puts us on the defensive, and we miss the important point. Peter could have asked, “Wait, rise again? What do you mean, Jesus?” But he didn’t.
Jesus gives Peter a sobering prediction that he doesn’t believe. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.” (Mark 14:30–31, CSB) Peter’s pride is showing.
Mark records what happened after Jesus’ arrest. “While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.” Then he started to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:66–72, CSB) Jesus’ prediction came to pass.
Well, I never would have done what Peter did. That’s what many think to themselves. And yet we do deny knowing Jesus in so many little ways. I think if Peter had been hauled before the court and questioned, he would have spoken clearly about Christ. But that’s not what tripped up Peter. It was the little questions from random strangers. It was a little thing of trying to protect himself. Maybe a bit of fear. Perhaps a bit of wanting to be undercover and stay near Jesus. In the end, Peter denied Christ and was greatly humbled when the rooster crowed.
Certainly, Jesus’ prediction and Peter’s denial are notable. But so also is Peter’s restoration, which is found in John 21. Jesus knows our pride, our failures, our brokenness, and still He calls to us, “Follow Me.” We may be prepared for the big challenges to our faith but the battle is in the small ones. What do we tell our neighbor? What do our words and actions show others in the workplace or marketplace? Do people know who we are following and whose we are? This isn’t so much about street preaching but shining our light in the way we live our everyday go-to-work lives. May we all hear, “You are with Jesus, aren’t you?”
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