April 6, 2012

As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch. The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” 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.” But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” 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

Thoughts~

I read quite a few commentaries on this passage of scripture and what I gathered from them all is this: While Peter loved Jesus, he wasn’t completely ready to follow Him with his whole heart. After all, the Lord had not been crucified and resurrected yet, so Peter, like the other disciples, did not completely get that Jesus was going to not only be crucified but He would overcome death. Peter loved Jesus, but, his faith was still growing. When he wept, it was, according to all of the commentaries, an act of repentance.

There were times as a brand new believer that I was totally gung-ho about my faith and other times I didn’t share it for fear of ridicule. I truly loved Jesus way back then but nothing like I do now. As a follower of His for nearly 44 years, my faith has grown and I have matured. Today, I am strong and would never, I pray, deny the Lord. However, over the years there were times I was silent about my faith.  A quiet denial.

Action~

I have a small photo of a rooster in my cell phone as a reminder to stay true to the Lord, to show boldness without being obnoxious. Print this rooster out on this page or find one as a simple reminder to you. It’s amazing how a little reminder encourages us to stay strong in our faith.

Pray~

Lord, search my heart and show me if I ever, in any way, deny You. Please forgive my acts of denial and strengthen my faith as I lean on You and pour my heart into Your word.

Trusting the Lord,

Becky