The Denial: Mark 14:66-72
“66) As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, 67) and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” 68) But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch. 69) The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” 70) But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” 71) But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” 72) Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep.” Mark 14:66-72
Peter followed Jesus at a distance. It doesn’t work to walk in the shadows or hold Jesus at arms length. Peter wanted to be close enough to hear the details, but not close enough to be associated as one of His disciples.
Maybe he feared being arrested with Jesus and put on trial himself. He was suddenly focused on himself and his own safety and wellbeing.
But, he was recognized three times. Twice by his appearance and once because of his character and conduct. Obviously, others present had been at meetings led by Jesus. They had heard His teachings and witnessed His miracles. That’s why they recognized Peter. At this moment, they desperately needed a leader.
Instead of stepping to the forefront and taking charge, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. He melted away in fear. He changed his character and began to curse and swear. He may have still looked like a follower of Jesus, but he no longer sounded or acted the part. By his conduct, he denied any association with Jesus.
What was the problem? Peter was walking in the flesh and not the Spirit. Pentecost had not yet happened. According to Romans 8:5-8, he was destined to fail because the flesh cannot serve God. He was setting his mind on the things of the flesh and not of the Spirit.
What a difference the indwelling Holly Spirit made in Peter. He was transformed into a new man. Throughout the book of Acts, he stood up repeatedly and confronted the very religious council that put Jesus to death. (See Acts 2:22-24)
Faith in Jesus must be accompanied by the filling, power and surrender to the Holy Spirit. No matter how religious you are, your flesh will at some point fail. Your inner man will be weak and your character hypocritical.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“66) As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, 67) and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” 68) But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch. 69) The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” 70) But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” 71) But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” 72) Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep.” Mark 14:66-72
Peter followed Jesus at a distance. It doesn’t work to walk in the shadows or hold Jesus at arms length. Peter wanted to be close enough to hear the details, but not close enough to be associated as one of His disciples.
Maybe he feared being arrested with Jesus and put on trial himself. He was suddenly focused on himself and his own safety and wellbeing.
But, he was recognized three times. Twice by his appearance and once because of his character and conduct. Obviously, others present had been at meetings led by Jesus. They had heard His teachings and witnessed His miracles. That’s why they recognized Peter. At this moment, they desperately needed a leader.
Instead of stepping to the forefront and taking charge, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. He melted away in fear. He changed his character and began to curse and swear. He may have still looked like a follower of Jesus, but he no longer sounded or acted the part. By his conduct, he denied any association with Jesus.
What was the problem? Peter was walking in the flesh and not the Spirit. Pentecost had not yet happened. According to Romans 8:5-8, he was destined to fail because the flesh cannot serve God. He was setting his mind on the things of the flesh and not of the Spirit.
What a difference the indwelling Holly Spirit made in Peter. He was transformed into a new man. Throughout the book of Acts, he stood up repeatedly and confronted the very religious council that put Jesus to death. (See Acts 2:22-24)
Faith in Jesus must be accompanied by the filling, power and surrender to the Holy Spirit. No matter how religious you are, your flesh will at some point fail. Your inner man will be weak and your character hypocritical.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
