Sunday 30th March
Read Mark 14:70b-72
“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 cock crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” (NIVUK)
All sorts of evidence accumulates around Peter, betraying why he is there. His denials become ever more forceful. Commentators suggest his final words were ‘Go to hell, I don’t know him!’ He loses his identity in denying his Lord and it is only the cock-crow that brings him back. When he realises what he has done he breaks down – the emotional load cracks him in two.
This is true sorrow. Perhaps even repentant sorrow (cf 2 Corinthians 7:8-13). From this point forward we have no visibility on Peter in the passion narratives until he hears about the empty tomb. He is a shattered man. Peter abandoned the shepherd and broke down. The grace of Jesus was needed to restore him.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
16 Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
17 The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) (NIVUK)
From abandoning the shepherd, to a commission as shepherd. God does truly amazing things.
