PrintToday's "Moment with Mark" (116)
21 March, 2013
A little later some other bystanders began saying to Peter, "You must be one of them because you are from Galilee." Peter said, "I swear by God, 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 me three times." And he broke down and cried. (Mark 14:70-15:1)
Perhaps it was his accent that gave him away? Perhaps the way he pronounced names and places? Was it the way he dressed? Whatever it was, his cover was blown. His denial was charged with a combination of anger and fear. Anger towards that persistent servant girl. Fear that he was found out. His third denial was vehement to say the least.
That's three times.
Do you know what I think happened? I think Peter had come face-to-face with himself. The real Peter. He thought he was the Peter who would protect his Master come what may. He thought he was the one who would never deny his Master. And he has just done so not once, not twice but three times.
He is now a broken man. His self-confidence is shattered. He is no better than the others who ran for their lives. In fact, he was worse than them because they hadn't denied their Master like Peter had done.
He went out and wept bitterly.
I guess there are few reading this article who have not, at some stage, fallen short of their profession of faith and loyalty to the Lord. Such brokenness as Peter experienced must have played a key role in his healing. The man who will preach so powerfully at Pentecost is now broken.
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