Total Failure
Opening Prayer
“Against you only have I sinned.” Ask the Lord to show you your sin. Confess it and receive his forgiveness.
Read MARK 14:66-72
[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 on himself, 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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What might have Peter learned about himself here?In Peter’s downfall we see echoes of our own. His journey from self-confidence and self-belief to true self-awareness is one we all take.
Peter had a flash of self-knowing when he first understood the power of Jesus (see Luke 5:8). But over the years with Jesus, sharing in his ministry, his self-confidence and self-belief had grown (31). Jesus had warned him (30,38) but Peter had not acted (40). Are you and I vigilant and prayerful about our spiritual state? Are we quick to act on the warnings the Lord gives us through his Word or by his Spirit through another Christian?
Maybe, like Peter, we only remember when it is too late (72). Realizing that we have failed the Lord, especially when we have known him for a long time, cuts us to the core (72). Peter did not realize that his moral failure would be paid for in full by Jesus himself. We do know that Jesus went to the cross, willingly, to pay for every single one of our moral failures. As we weep for our sinful state, our tears should be mingled with tears of gratitude for all that he has done.
Apply
How do you keep alert to recognize and avoid lapses in your spiritual health? Is any action needed now?
Closing prayer
Lord, may my confidence be in you alone. Give me grace this day to honor you in every place I go and in all I do and say.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.