Hope for Failed Disciples

Scripture:

Mark 14:⁷² At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Observation:

While Jesus is inside the house of the high priest being interrogated, Peter was in the courtyard standing among those who had gathered. He was the only disciple who followed Jesus that night, waiting to see what would happen. While Jesus was on trial, declaring his identity to the leaders, revealing his strength, Peter was outside denying his relationship to the man known as the Nazarene. 

It’s an interesting turn of events for earlier in the evening Peter had been ready to fight against the guards and now, he is taken down by a servant girl. His accent having given him away, she is certain that he is from Galilee. Three times he denies knowing Jesus, and the last time he adds in some cursing. 

It’s at that very moment of his third denial that the cock crows and Peter is broken. What has he done? The last phrase is hard to translate and may have meant that he wept, or that he was so full of shame that he buried his head in his cloak and ran from the place. He had thought that he was a strong and powerful man but now, he leaves, full of shame. Only in Mark’s gospel is there a reference to the second cock’s crow — which is usually just before dawn. The others just mention the cock crowing, but Mark’s gospel is filled with Peter’s own recollections and he knows the exact detail. This failure was monumental.  

Application:

The gospel is for failed disciples, for on the other side of our failure, we discover the risen Savior. If we are willing to go and to meet with him, he is there, ready to welcome us, just as he promised. (Brower, NBBC) 

We all find that we are weak in our faith. Let’s be honest, these are days that will test our faith. On the one hand we see that the gospel is going out and reaching many more people than it was just a few weeks ago. On the other, we are right there with Peter, frightened about the turn of events. The world is discovering that they are not in control of everything! There is a need to be dependent upon God, but at the same time there is the potential for fear. We must remember that Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him. This includes denial of self-reliance, because “self-reliance and self-sufficiency are incompatable with being one of Jesus’ followers.” (Brower, NBBC) We are comforted by the thought that when we are weak, he is strong! 

Mark’s gospel was written during the period of time when the church in Rome was undergoing terrible persecution. This story offered a message of hope. “They know that vindication and life will surely come after suffering because God is sovereign and his purposes are being accomplished even in unpromising situations. Jesus can be their model of courage borne of doing the Father’s will. But Peter can also be a model for them, whether through his failure or the gracious forgiveness and restoration that links his story with that of Jesus. There is hope even for failed disciples.” (Brower, NBBC)

Prayer:

Lord, I lean into you and your presence in my weakness. Thank you for being there when we fail. Amen.