Let’s read Mark 14:66-72.
I don't know how you feel when you just read the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. While preparing for this sermon, I felt sad, surprised, and disappointed in Peter. Why is that? Two weeks ago, we discussed how the relationship between a rabbi and his students was very close. It differed from the relationship between a teacher and his students in school or between a professor and his students in a seminary today.
Back then, a rabbi and his students lived together in one house or residence so that they could learn from the rabbi more intensively. They lived, ate, and traveled together so that the students not only received theoretical teachings from the teacher but could also see firsthand the teacher's behavior and character and how the teacher carried out his ministry.
That is a picture of the relationship between Peter and his Teacher, Jesus. For three and a half years, Peter lived with Jesus and received teachings and guidance from him. Even, together with James and John, he was a group of disciples who received special treatment from Jesus. Only the three of them were invited by Jesus to accompany Him to certain places. That is why Peter's relationship with Jesus was very special.
Moreover, Peter was the one who gave the correct answer when Jesus asked His disciples who He was. Peter answered loudly, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Hearing this answer, Jesus said to him: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (verse 17). Besides that, Jesus gave him a new name that we now know. In verse 18 Jesus said: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." By giving the name "Peter" which means rock, Jesus hoped that Peter would have firm faith like a rock that remains firm even though it is hit by waves day and night.
Another thing from Peter that we need to remember is his promise to Jesus that, even though the other disciples would leave Jesus, he would never leave Him. He even dared to say that he was willing to die with Jesus. So we see here that Peter had a special relationship with Jesus, knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and promised to be faithful to Jesus. Then, how could he betray Jesus? Let's look again at Mark 14:66-72.
After being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was put on trial. There were six trials for Jesus, the first three of which Jesus was tried by the Jewish leaders, namely by Annas, the father-in-law of the High Priest Caiaphas, then before the High Priest Caiaphas, then before the Religious Court (Sanhedrin). They finally sentenced Jesus to death because of the false testimonies of the people they paid, and because Jesus claimed that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. However, the Jews were not allowed to carry out the death penalty. That is why they brought Jesus' case to the Roman Court.
First, it was done before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, where Jesus was accused of political violations. But Pilate found no guilt. After finding out that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Jesus to King Herod who ruled the region of Galilee. Herod also found no guilt in Jesus and then sent Him back to Pilate again. The last time Pilate tried Jesus on the official trial seat and sentenced Him to death by crucifixion.
When Jesus was tried by the Jewish leaders, it was around 1 to 3 in the morning, that the story in this passage took place.
In verse 50 it is mentioned that after Jesus was arrested, all the disciples left Jesus and ran away. But in verse 54 it is mentioned that Peter followed Jesus from a distance, all the way into the courtyard of the High Priest, and there he sat among the guards while warming himself by the fire. So, compared to the other disciples, Peter was not as bad as them.
According to verses 66-68, while Peter was still downstairs in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest saw him warming himself. He recognized Peter's face, so she said: “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.” Hearing that, Peter denied it and said: "I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about." Then he went to the front porch (and the cock crowed).
Verses 69-71 said that not long afterward, the servant girl saw Peter again. She said to the people there: "This fellow is one of them.” But Peter denied it anyway. Not long afterward the people who were there also said to Peter: "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” They probably knew that Peter was from Galilee because of his accent or because of the words that were typical of Galileans. It is like when we hear someone say: "Howdy," "Y'all," or "Over yonder" we know that the person is from Texas.
Peter could not deny it because he was born in Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. But he didn't admit it, instead, Peter began to curse and swear to them: “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” At that time, Peter's words were like this: "May God punish me if I am not telling the truth!" Or "May I be wretched, if I know the man!" That was Peter's last curse against the Teacher who loved him so much. It was so cruel and so hurtful!
How could Peter do that? When the Master was treated inhumanely, insulted, reviled, slandered, and persecuted, the disciple He loved betrayed Him. There are several possibilities, but because our time is limited, I will only discuss two:
First, he was afraid that he would also be arrested and treated like Jesus. His denial was most likely driven by a desire to protect himself and a fear of what would happen to him.
Since the birth of the church until now, many Christians have faced situations like Peter's. If they confess and maintain their faith in the Lord Jesus, they will be arrested, tortured, and even killed. In that situation, it was natural for them to feel afraid. But, praise God, many of them remain steadfast in their faith in Jesus even though they were being persecuted and even killed.
On February 18, the Open Door reported that 70 Christians in Congo were beheaded by Muslim extremists. What about us? If extremists suddenly came to our worship service right now and threatened to arrest us if we remained faithful to the Lord Jesus, or even kill us, would we be faithful to Jesus? Would we also betray the Lord Jesus like Peter? Some Christians hide their identities as Christ's followers because they fear losing friends or jobs, let alone losing their lives.
Jesus had warned Peter not to be too confident in his commitment to remain faithful to Jesus. Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” That is why Jesus invited Peter to pray with Him in Gethsemane and reminded him always to watch and pray. But Peter fell asleep.
If we do not watch and pray, we can also betray Jesus even though we have been Christians for decades. That is why we need to have a quiet time and pray every day, attend church services, and fellowship with other fellow believers. I have witnessed many children of God who were once faithful, now leaving the Lord because they no longer do those things.
Second, probably Peter was disappointed in Jesus. Peter thought that, as the Messiah, Jesus would use His power and position to deliver Israel from the Romans and establish a new Kingdom of Israel. But, when He was arrested, Jesus did not put up any resistance. When he used his sword to attack one of the soldiers, he was rebuked by Jesus. A preacher said maybe he had intended to cut off the soldier's head but missed, only hitting his ear.
Peter's lack of understanding of Jesus' mission to save humanity through His death and resurrection, made him very disappointed in Jesus who instead surrendered Himself to the Jewish and Roman leaders.
Application: Disappointment in God can make someone withdraw or even leave God, like Joshua Harris, a former pastor of a mega-church and the author of the best-seller book entitled, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." After his divorce, he left the Christian faith. Or like what happened with a popular Hillsong worship leader, Marty Sampson, who a few years ago revealed he was “genuinely losing” his faith.
That is why we need to understand God correctly, to know who the Lord Jesus is. So that whatever happens, we will remain loyal to Him because we know that Elohim is the true God and Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life.
Verse 72 says: “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."
Peter finally realized that what Jesus had told him had happened. Thankfully, he realized his mistakes and sins. He regretted them so much that he burst into tears, which showed deep sadness and regret. Unlike Judas, Peter repented, and Jesus showed His grace and mercy to him by restoring his status as His disciple, even using him to preach on the Pentecost.
Peter's painful experience probably prompted him to write the message of 1 Peter 5:8-9 so that we don't fall into Satan's trap as he did. The verse reads: “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, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
May the Holy Spirit protect and keep us all so that we remain faithful in following the Lord Jesus until death. Amen!
