DENIAL
Opening Prayer
Lord, give me the grace to affirm You steadfastly.
Read Mark 14:66–72
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.[a]
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.[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[c] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Footnotes:
a Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
b Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
c Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Give thanks that Jesus remained faithful before all His accusers.
Think Further
We are not surprised at Peter’s denial of his Master, as He has foretold, but the extent remains shocking. There is a progressive broadcasting of this denial: first to one servant girl, then to a group of people around the girl, and finally to all the
bystanders in the courtyard entrance. There is also a progression in the strength of his denials, from a profession of not understanding the question to a denial with oaths and curses. No other disciple is recorded as denying Jesus, but none of the others have followed Him into the courtyard of the high priest. Peter has put himself in jeopardy without realizing what he has done.
Many of us will never find ourselves in a position like Peter, when we verbally deny the Lord, but more likely there will be occasions when we could speak up, acknowledging our relationship to Him, but we remain silent. A failure of confession remains a denial. It is Peter who later tells us that we should always be ready with an answer to those who ask about the hope within us (1 Pet 3:15). We may want to be around people with our beliefs and therefore avoid having to deal with social situations where our faith might be challenged, demanding a response. This is denial by omission.
The story ends with Peter’s deep remorse over his failure. He would go through the next three days conscious only of his sin. However, on resurrection morning Peter will receive instructions to go with the other disciples to Galilee to meet the Lord. Before the end of this Gospel we will know that there is forgiveness even for deniers of Jesus. One more time, God reveals His grace.
Apply
Reflect upon times when you have failed to confess your faith in Jesus and seek forgiveness.
Closing prayer
Lord, we all have failed miserably in one spiritual way or another. Thank You for forgiveness and the opportunity of a second chance.
Book and Author Intros
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.
Encounter with God 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.