Genesis 44; Mark 14; Job 10; Romans 14

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)

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Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:51-72

I am forever thankful for the story of Peter disowning Christ. At the last supper with his disciples, Jesus warns them that they would all soon fall away.  Peter knows in his heart of hearts, that his convictions and dedication set him apart; he is incapable of turning his back on Jesus.  Jesus warns Peter that he would not only disown him once, but twice. In today’s passage in Mark,  Peter lives out Jesus’s prediction. He is a crushed.

Peter’s story gives me great hope. Christ’s knows Peter’s heart. The only one who surprised by the denial is Peter. It’s no different for me. I start out my day reading the Word and feeling God’s presence as I pray. The heat of the day gets going and before I know it, I am behaving as one who has never known the company of Jesus. False pride deceives me into thinking that I am better than the crowd, and the strength of my convictions makes me bullet proof.  The only one fooled is myself. My sin is before me and it’s ugly.

The words of Psalm 139:4 find me, “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”  These words of grace find their way to me, pull back the curtains of self deception and bring me back to the feet of Jesus. My heart, as it is, is known by my heavenly Father and He does not turn away. My faith is not in the strength of my convictions. My faith is in the One who gave his life so that I might not suffer the punishment deserved. Although I may abandon the One who loves me, He never turns his back on me.

One of the great mysteries of God is how He uses the grace filled lives of the humbled and fallen to make his church rock solid. I pray that I every day, I am increasingly filled with gratitude to God for all that He does  and less prone to wander.

Klueh

Numbers 15-16, Mark 14:54-72

Year after year, the high priest offered sacrifices on behalf of people who had sinned inadvertently.

“‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD and must be cut off from the people of Israel. Because they have despised the LORD’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’” Numbers 15:30-31

When the High Priest interrogated him, at first, Jesus was silent as a lamb before the shearers, (Isaiah 53:7) but then he answered with the unbelievable truth.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

   Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

  “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Mark 14:60:64

The High Priest inadvertently sacrificed a fragrant offering to the Lord, the man the Lord chose to be holy, the Pascal Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Fear caused Peter to deny Christ as he followed him from a distance. Peter’s words didn’t reflect his relationship with Jesus, anymore than the testimony of false witnesses against the Messiah coincided with the truth.

…their statements did not agree. …I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Mark 14:56, 71 

Sometimes I allow myself to drift away from Christ. Separated from Jesus, my impulses rule the moment, just as they did with Peter.

You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Numbers 15:39

Two weeks ago in Spanish class, I used a word that caused my professor to tell me to “Comporta.” (Behave). In the midst of sin, I barely recognized myself as a person who professed to know Christ. I understand why Peter wept, but I do not lose heart, because I know Jesus’ sacrifice covers all my sins.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

“In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. Numbers 16:5 

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 

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