Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’. But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.” (Mark 14:27-31 NLT)
I love Bible passages where Jesus is speaking. I immediately feel refreshed after reading what he has to say. And when I read this passage—whoa. I’ve heard this story before, but I’ve never actually focused on it. I can’t even imagine how Peter felt when Jesus told him “…this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Peter would deny Jesus—the Son of God—my Savior. If I was Peter, I’d want to run off or beg Jesus to say he was joking. But it was no joke. Jesus had spoken the truth.
Peter Denies Jesus
Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.” But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72 NLT)
Hey God,
I have sinned, just like everyone else on this earth. But I could never even imagine denying that I know you. Please keep my mind and heart pure so that I won’t even have a chance to give in to Satan’s wishes. It’s your breath in our lungs; and you’ve created us. There is no one as great as you. Amen.
—Lanie (llilly2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 