Mark 14:27-31; 66-72 (p. 711) May 4, 2014
Introduction:
[I was 19 years old and I’d been a Christian for a little over a year. I’d finished my first semester at Johnson Bible College and I had driven down to Florida to work at my sister & Brother-in-law’s church for Week of Evangelism (this was Johnson’s answer to Spring Break...work at a church, or Christian mission for this week).
I was heading up to Stuart Christian church’s VBS called “Bullfrogs and Butterflies.” (Sing a little of the song).
I’d met Kari six months earlier...but honestly folks that had absolutely nooooo influence on me going to Florida for Week of Evangelism.
But that’s not what I want to tell you about in this message, called “Where Do You Go When You’ve Really Blown It?” I want to tell you about the day I drove over to Gator Trace Golf Course...back then I loved golf. I was a really good golfer then, and on this day they matched me up with 3 young guys from Boston (Baaastin). I liked those guys...they were a little older than me, they were also really good golfers. They kidded around, cussed like sailors, had a cooler on their cart. We talked about sports, our girlfriends, and one of them asked where I went to school. I said, “Knoxville...and he said, U.T....and I mumbled “yes.” Another guy asked my major and I think I said “Counseling” or something like that. I’m not completely sure why I did that as a new Christian. Maybe being “cool” overcame my desire to witness. Maybe I knew it would absolutely change the interaction we’d have from then on. They wouldn’t have beat me with golf clubs, or thrown me out of the foursome. Nobody held a gun to my head, but I chose self and fun on the golf course over my relationship with Jesus.
So, when I threw my clubs in the back of my truck and sat down behind the wheel I remember this feeling of failure. I could taste the shame...no one knew but me and Jesus, but that was enough as I cried my eyes out. I’d really blown it.]
But, maybe that’s why God’s Word paints its Heroes, with warts and all. Adam does nothing to protect his wife...except fold like a bar lawn chair. Noah gets drunk after the flood. Abraham lied about Sarah. David...adultery and murder. Moses...murder. James and John...power hungry. Peter...over-confident and denies he even knows Jesus.
Peter’s my favorite of all the disciples because he lived his life like an open book. He didn’t hide his emotions well. He wore his feelings on his sleeve. Reactionary, speaking before he thought sometimes...all the time.
His life is a great answer to the question: Where do you go when you’ve really blown it? We learn this first important lesson:
I. BE CAREFUL OF TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE
Let me give you some background to our text. Mark 10:32 says that as Jesus and the disciples entered Jerusalem...He took them aside and privately tells them...”We’re going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. 3 days later He will rise.” (Mk. 10:33-34)
It’s not some off the cuff remark...It’s a private look me in the eye moment where the Messiah reveals prophetic truth.
And what happens immediately after this encounter?
MARK 10:35-45 (p. 707)
What do James and John want? For Jesus to do what they ask...What do they ask? Give us the best seats at the inaugural dinner...and the top cabinet positions.
Jesus says, “My Father has prepared these places...they’re not mine to give.”
But when the 10 hear about this request they become indignant with James & John. Why, because they all wanted those places of honor...It’s why Jesus explains so clearly the difference of leaders in the Kingdom and the world.
I’m not sure they’re still indignant with each other as they celebrate the Passover Seder in the upper room. But none of them has volunteered to take the place of the servant who washes feet. Proud hearts, laying around a table...with dirty feet.
John 13 says “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God”...so,”
So? What does the world do with its power? It demands others serve them. What does God’s so do with all power and authority?
“He takes off His outer garment...wraps a towel around himself...and with a basin of water...he begins to wash the disciples feet (including Judas). And when he comes to Peter...Peter says, “Lord! Are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus says, “You don’t know what I’m doing now, but you’ll understand later.”
Peter says, “No, you shall never wash my feet!”
Pride is a killer isn’t it? Proverbs 16:18 tells us, “Pride goes before destruction...a haughty spirit (big ego) before a fall.”
Jesus looks at Peter and says, “If you don’t let me wash your feet you have no part with (not of...with) ME.”
Here’s how my team works...you’ll get it later!
And Peter is well...Peter...His response...”Give me a bath then.”
And Jesus says “No, it’s just your feet that need washing, but there’s someone here that’s more dirty than just their feet...one of you will betray me.
Jesus knew it was Judas, but the other disciples did not...and even though the other 11 wouldn’t betray Jesus like Judas...he says:
“You will all fall away” as scripture predicts “I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.” (Zech. 13:7)
And Peter says “Even if all the others fall away...I WILL NOT.” (v. 29)
And Jesus says, “I tell you tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me 3 times.” (Mark 14:30)
But Peter insists (emphatically – He’s probably shouting by now) “even if I have to die with you I will never disown you...and the other 10 said the same.” (v. 31)
Peter uses the word “I” three times in his emphatic declaration!
Peter is so confident here he sets himself above the other disciples...They might! I won’t! Pride is so subtle because it twists our good points. Peter is strong! He is brave. He is bold.
Peter thought that would be enough. Jesus knew it wouldn’t...Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. Satan wanted Peter...why? Peter was a leader. Hamstring the leader, and the followers are affected dramatically.
Jesus knew Peter’s personality wasn’t enough for a spiritual attack, so he prayed for Him.
Peter should have been praying too...
II. PRAYER HELPS US BE PREPARED FOR THE ATTACK
And yes the attacks will come...Satan will want to sift us like wheat! And if you are in a leadership position or a place where people who follow Jesus will be affected by your failure...you’d better watch out.
Maybe that’s why Peter wrote later in life “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Peter’s tired, emotionally drained. It’s late when they come to the garden of Gethsemane, but Peter’s also “cocky.” He’s sure of himself...but self is never something “super reliable by its lonesome.”
Jesus asks his disciples to “stay here and pray” but he takes Peter, James and John a little farther. Jesus is stressed and distressed beyond our imagination...“overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
He goes a little farther by Himself and this is His prayer:
MARK 14:35-36 (p. 711)
He returns to the disciples and finds them sleeping. “Simon (by name, ouch) are you asleep? (statement, not a question) Couldn’t you keep watch 1 hour...couldn’t you pray for an hour so that you don’t fall. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus does this not once or twice, but 3 times. Prays for the cup to be removed, prays for God’s will to be done in His life, prays for help and strength. Jesus is preparing Himself, and how does He do it...He prays.
The spirit is willing...the flesh is weak. By the way it’s a small case “s.” The human spirit of Peter was willing, confident, committed, but that’s never enough, because it’s housed in a body that goes to sleep (while waiting, or behind the wheel, or during a sermon
Boldness, physical strength, intellect might get you out of some tough places, but a spiritual victory is only possible through God’s Spirit, not yours or mine!
1 John 4:4 promises (after stating there will be spiritual warfare) “you dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
This greater One hasn’t been given yet to the disciples. The one Jesus said this about...”It is for your good that I’m going away (I promise they didn’t believe that!!!), unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you; but if I go I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)
In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit would come upon, be provided to kings and those anointed. In the New Covenant, He will give new birth and be within. The Law taught us slavery, the Spirit of God taught us sonship and daughtership!
ROMANS 8:8-11, 14-17 (p. 786)
In the flesh Peter would deny that he even knew Jesus, 3 times. The final one as he was “swearing to God it’s the truth...Luke 22:60-61 tells us that as he was speaking these words the rooster crowed, and Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, And he went outside the courtyard and wept bitterly.”
III. WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU’VE REALLY BLOWN IT?
By yourself, in a truck or outside the courtyard...And if you’ve been ashamed of Jesus, and you really, really love Him, you weep bitterly.
And you wonder if you can be forgiven, if you can be restored or redeemed (brought back).
So, what happens to the broken vessel when all the self confidence leaks out all over the floor? My answer: “God fills it with grace so it can leak out to others.”
Where do you go when you’ve really blown it...you go to the One who’s looking for you...Jesus!!!
There would be trials, scourging, a cross, and a borrowed tomb. All the disciples scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. All of them blew it. But Peter had bragged, Judas had betrayed...Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. We’re hopeless, dark and filled with guilt and shame.
What did Judas do with guilt and shame? “give them the money back...and hang himself.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matt. 27:5)
2 Corinthians 7 tells us that we should become sorrowful when we’ve blown it, and two different things can happen. You can turn to God in repentance and find salvation with no regret, or you can choose worldly sorrow (unhealthy, non restoration way of handling it). You can take matters into your own control, with a bottle, a therapist (non-Christian), a noose, or something that deals with the flesh, but not the Spirit...and it brings death. (2 Cor. 7:9-10)
What makes all the difference? Jesus, a resurrected Lord who wants nothing more than to redeem that which is broken...It’s why he died for us. But even more it’s why He lives in us.
Jesus would say, “Go tell the disciples and Peter I have risen from the dead and so we’ll meet them in Galilee.”
And Peter...make sure he knows. Jesus would restore this broken man, because this broken man wanted restoration. And the greatest proof for a resurrected Jesus was in Peter’s courage after the resurrection to proclaim:
ACTS 2:36-41 (p. 759)
The gift of the Holy Spirit...It’s a promised gift. Peter knew it was the transforming power in every life...because “this gift” had transformed his...restored...and redeemed.
News that has to be proclaimed and shared!
