Mark 14 - God Comforts the Afflicted and Afflicts the Comfortable!
Verses of the Day:
Peter Disowns Jesus
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.
Commentary
There are so many verses in this chapter which I would have liked to write about, but I picked this one because there is so much humanness in this story. Peter's behavior in this story of his threefold denial of Jesus shows how following Jesus and acknowledging as our Savior won't always be met with open arms.
As Jesus was being interrogated by the Sanhedrin (the body of 70 Jewish elders who made decisions for the community), Peter stayed at a distance watching what was happening. It was cold so he was warming his hands by the fire.
The servant girl recognized Peter and immediately and called him out. She did it again while telling the others around him that Peter was with Jesus. Finally, those around Peter recognized his Galilean accent said the same thing. Each time Peter vehemently denies his association with Jesus. though he had just sworn allegiance to Jesus. He said to Jesus, "Even if all fall away, I will never deny you, I will even die for you. "
It is amazing what fear can do to a man's resolve. It is easy to criticize Peter, but I wonder what I would have done. It is obvious throughout the gospels that Peter loved Jesus, but he wasn't willing to put his life on the line for him when Jesus needed him the most.
In what ways do we deny Jesus? When it might not be comfortable to say we follow Jesus do we back down? When we act in a way that does not conform with the world are we courageous enough to tell people why? If our life was on the line would we confess to being Christian?
Before we judge Peter, we may want to think deeply about these questions. It is easy to be a Christian in church. or around other Christians. This is why a lot of Christians don't really want to go out into the world. But we are not called to be comfortable but to go out and be willing to share Jesus with a world that is so divided and often hostile at the mention of Jesus' name.
There is a saying, "God comforts the afflicted, and afflicts the comfortable!"
Application:
1. When are you tempted to deny Jesus? What prompts it? When have you stood up for Jesus? How did that feel?
Let's remember this verse, "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." - Matthew 10:32
Prayer:
Jesus you were not afraid to face those who hated you and wanted to kill you, all because of your love for us. You willingly chose to suffer and die for us, so that we might be forgiven and set free from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus, give us courage to acknowledge you, not just in church, but in a world which is increasingly hostile to you. Amen.
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