Mark 14
January Memory Verse: Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 (NIV)
Read: Mark 14
Mark 14 has a lot packed into it (it's the longest chapter in the book of Mark and the 3rd longest chapter in the New Testament!), but one of the accounts that is spread throughout the chapter I want to focus on is the denial of Peter.
In verses 26-31, Jesus tells his disciples that they will all deny him. This is coming right on the heels of the institution of the Lord's Supper, where Jesus shows that he is entering into a New Covenant that is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant. With characteristic zeal, Peter emphatically rejects the possibility that he would ever deny Jesus: "Even though they all fall away, I will not... If I must die with you, I will not deny you." (v. 29, 31) While Peter surely means well, and probably thinks he believes what he is saying, it is a great reminder of two things for us: (1) we should never believe we are above any sin, and (2) we need to be aware of the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice.
In verses 66-72, we see that Jesus is correct in his prediction (spoiler alert: he always is). Jesus was arrested and put before the council. The entire city was in an uproar over what was happening. In this last section, Peter was confronted and played dumb 3 different times. Peter rejects Jesus by completely disassociating himself from him. We learn from Peter that all of us are prone to the sin of fearing man over God. In the midst of the panic, Peter chose safety and self more than standing with his Savior.
While we can learn much of what to avoid doing from Peter, when we know the end of this story, we see too the graciousness and restoring power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you go and read John 21:15-17, you will see that Jesus restored Peter, and that Peter would go on to be a strong (yet imperfect) pillar of the church. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter experienced firsthand the power of forgiveness of even the most heinous sins.
What stood out to you today about the account of Peter?
What do you need to change in your own life as you read these warnings?
By: Graham Withers
Read: Mark 14
Mark 14 has a lot packed into it (it's the longest chapter in the book of Mark and the 3rd longest chapter in the New Testament!), but one of the accounts that is spread throughout the chapter I want to focus on is the denial of Peter.
In verses 26-31, Jesus tells his disciples that they will all deny him. This is coming right on the heels of the institution of the Lord's Supper, where Jesus shows that he is entering into a New Covenant that is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant. With characteristic zeal, Peter emphatically rejects the possibility that he would ever deny Jesus: "Even though they all fall away, I will not... If I must die with you, I will not deny you." (v. 29, 31) While Peter surely means well, and probably thinks he believes what he is saying, it is a great reminder of two things for us: (1) we should never believe we are above any sin, and (2) we need to be aware of the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice.
In verses 66-72, we see that Jesus is correct in his prediction (spoiler alert: he always is). Jesus was arrested and put before the council. The entire city was in an uproar over what was happening. In this last section, Peter was confronted and played dumb 3 different times. Peter rejects Jesus by completely disassociating himself from him. We learn from Peter that all of us are prone to the sin of fearing man over God. In the midst of the panic, Peter chose safety and self more than standing with his Savior.
While we can learn much of what to avoid doing from Peter, when we know the end of this story, we see too the graciousness and restoring power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you go and read John 21:15-17, you will see that Jesus restored Peter, and that Peter would go on to be a strong (yet imperfect) pillar of the church. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter experienced firsthand the power of forgiveness of even the most heinous sins.
What stood out to you today about the account of Peter?
What do you need to change in your own life as you read these warnings?
By: Graham Withers
20 Comments
(1) we should never believe we are above any sin, and (2) we need to be aware of the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice.
WOW! How convicting? Makes me focus today on whom I’m judging. Not our job friends!!! Also, I have a gap or two that need my attention...
It's convicting to me too Joey! We all have those gaps to be aware of.
But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (Mark 14:71)
Let these words examine your heart. As Peter was tested through bystanders, his mouth confessed to complete ignorance of his Savior and mentor and friend. As a believer, you and I must remember our sinful past in order to magnify the goodness, kindness, and greatness of our Lord. And in the very next verse we see the right mind has returned to him and that the right response to recalling our past sins is to shed tears of sorrow. What a great lesson: initially Jesus is denied, but for the believer Jesus is ultimately declared.
Good thoughts Korbet. And a tweetable last sentence!!
This story reminds me of my own denials. Whether I refuse to speak up and defend a Biblical cause, skip a witnessing opportunity, or when I chose to sin, I deny Jesus. Today I’ll focus on making sure I live fully taking up my cross and His cause.
Good thoughts Tim!
I think what stood out to me the most was the rooster crowing the first time—I mean Jesus told Peter just before this that he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crowed twice—so when the rooster crowed the first time shouldn’t Peter have remembered what Jesus said—hey Peter, wake up...but how many warnings against sin do I get and not pay attention to, listen to, or blatantly turn a blind eye to???
Thanks for this awesome message, Graham!!!
That's true Sara, you would think that would have been quite the warning!
Graham, thanks for this message. Very convicting, and I like having the GC article for further study.
I remember something similar to the Peter in my own life. When I first read through the OT last year and reading after the Red Sea story (Exodus 16), I remember thinking "Are these Israelites serious? How can they possibly be complaining after what they just got delivered from". Then, later that day, I caught myself complaining about singleness at the time. After the insane life transformation I had recently experienced, there I was. Pot, meet kettle. Our tendency is to think much more ourselves than we ought, like you said. Something that helps me with this is praying over Matthew 23:12 and Matthew 5:3.
Good thoughts Jordan!
And even after Jesus restores Peter in John 21, Peter is focused on what's going to happen to John, instead of focusing on what Jesus is saying about his own future. Deception is so powerful and, well, deceptive, that we must constantly be on guard through staying in the Word and prayer. How could these guys live with our Savior for three years and still not get it. The struggle is real, and not against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of evil. But Jesus has overcome the world and carries us through all we must endure. Hallelujah!
Deception must be guarded against for sure!
(1) we should never believe we are above any sin, and (2) we need to be aware of the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice.
How many times do we see stories of solid Christians who fall into sins we would never in a thousand years think they would commit? Peter thought he could never deny Jesus, and was even willing to die for him. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself, he fell into that sin. It’s one thing to read and know God’s word, but it’s another thing to follow it. We need to be on guard, we need accountability so we don’t fall into sin. Community is so very important in the Christian life for this reason! We need to be that accountability for others, and we need to have others speak truth into our lives when we need it. Great reminder today, Graham!
Good words on the importance of community Scottie!
Wow, Graham, thanks for linking to that gospel coalition video. That was really great!
Glad it was helpful!
I think what stands out to me is that Peter had a huge confidence, but it was in his own strength. When in the garden with Jesus, Peter had a chance to pray and ask God to strengthen him to not fall into temptation, but he did not. I have been learning recently how we can do nothing without God (John 15: 4-5), but in practice I far too often do not live like that is true, and I try to do things in my own strength like Peter. Thankful for the reminder that I am not above any sin and that the flesh is weak! Pushes me to rely on God for everything
Really good observation Chris!
This is such a great reminder that all of us are prone to sin (prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love!) But God is an amazing God and he restores us. And also Jesus gives us a warning to remember that our own flesh is weak. Trying to trust in the own flesh to abstain from sin does not work, but the spirit is willing
Good thoughts Rasheed!