SHAMED
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Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come confessing my sins, asking for your forgiveness. Thank you that, in Christ, there is not only pardon, there is cleansing and a slate wiped clean.
Read MARK 14:66–72
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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
- Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
- Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
- 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.
Reflect
A believer can never commit a sin so great that they cannot seek and find forgiveness.
Peter thought he was just one of the crowd, safely hidden in the mass of people who’d gathered for the developing event—but the security ‘camera’ focuses in on him. First, a servant girl remembers his face. ‘You’re one of them, aren’t you?’ she accuses. As soon as he opens his mouth to deny the fact, Peter drops himself in it. You can’t mistake a Scouser or a Geordie or a Galilean accent. The crowd begins to mutter and she accuses him again. Others join in and he’s forced to strengthen his denial by playing the foul-mouthed northerner. Presumably the crowd is convinced by this performance, for Peter is allowed to slink away, hear the cock crow’s condemnation, and break down in shame.
Our downfalls are rarely instantaneous. Peter’s began earlier in the day. It started with brash self-confidence (v. 29), strongly asserted moments later (v. 31). The temptation of sleep (v. 37) is followed by the blind panic of flight (v. 50). An attempt to sneak into the fringe of the crowd results in identification and this night’s total denial. So much is promised but so little delivered. How deep the shame. How could he ever face Jesus again?
In my naivety, I’ve often promised much to friends, to family, and to God. I’ve sincerely believed in my capabilities, and maybe that’s where the problem lies? The person I want to be may not be the person I actually am. Paul put his finger on this fact of human nature,1 and if it’s true for him then it’s definitely true for me. Thankfully, forgiveness is to come for Peter, but that’s later in the story. Meanwhile, let’s honestly face up to who we really are.
Apply
Revisit your journey of faith. Remember your naive assertions. Face up to the failures and regrets. Bring them to Jesus so he can look at you with eyes of love.
Closing prayer
Jesus, thank you for showing me many of the times you offered forgiveness to sinners in the New Testament. Thank you for allowing me to see your heart that is filled with compassion and that overflows with grace and mercy, not just in Scripture, but today, for me.
1 Rom 7:19
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