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Commentaries
English
Mark
  
10. Peter Denies Jesus
(Mark 14:66-72)
66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.68But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”70Again he denied it. After a while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”71He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”72Immediately 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 did not want to leave Jesus at all. He was sure he would see him obtaining victory at the last moment, revealing his own glory as the triumphant Son of God before the council of the Jews with an amazing miracle.
The most forward among the apostles determined to keep his promise to Christ to accompany him at any cost, without knowing that no man can pay all his vows to God completely or properly, for vows are founded on faith in the weak self, which entails failure in both execution and performance.
The world quickly identifies those who follow Christ, for their faces reflect Christ’s kindness, and their manners flow with pure words. Their essence cannot be hidden, and the world senses their spirit from afar.
As such, the simple servant girl discovered the hiding Peter who did not share the chains and shame with his Lord, but followed him from afar in the dark night, and was a coward hero. Thus, the preparedness for denial was in him from the beginning. Because he did not want anyone to discover him, he hid his following of Christ in a white lie. In this manner, Peter denied his Master completely, and forgot his confession already revealed by the Holy Spirit that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Hell laughed at Peter’s negligence and false argument. The crowing of the rooster was an echo of the devils’ mockery at the moving of the most forward among the apostles away from his Master. In his wavering following of Christ, Peter became an easy prey to the father of lying. Are you sincere in your faith in Christ, or are you irresolute because you are not born of the Holy Spirit?
Hell completed its victory, for it was not satisfied with small lies, and hasty arguments, but it led Peter into definite refusal. He denied his Master before the other woman, and insisted assertively and advertently that he had never known him.
Was Peter afraid and willing to keep himself away from flagellation? Or did he despise the simple woman and the ignorant servants, thinking of uncovering himself before the council just to show his bravery in following Christ?
Certainly, we do not know the reason. Yet, during the sharp discussion between the servant girl and Peter, those who warmed themselves at the fire paid attention. They gazed at Peter, listened to his language, and found that his manner of speaking surely indicated that he was a Galilean like Jesus. Peter did not seize the unequalled opportunity to bear witness to his Savior and his healing miracles, as he had already promised him to do, but he cursed himself publicly, as if he had never known him.
This is the full design of Satan: to lead Jesus’ followers into denying their Lord, and let them fall in their self-destruction that he may overcome their faith, and keep them away from Jesus.
Christ had known and seen this event beforehand, and had annulled the victory of hell in his love, for Peter did not hate him in his innermost heart as Judas did, but he denied him hastily, for fear of the sword. And because of his false pride, he fell into Satan’s trap. Yet, Christ had fixed the crowing of the rooster for the second time to warn Peter during his third denial. Then the crowing of the rooster pierced his stirred heart. He recognized his bankrupt dignity, and understood that he was not a prominent hero, but an unprofitable liar. He trembled and feared the eternal Judge, became disgusted of himself, and wept bitterly.
While Jesus was beaten and humiliated, the most forward among the apostles collapsed in tears, became broken to his pride, and crushed with knowing his fault. Through this repentance, Christ began to renew his disciple, for no natural man can enter into the kingdom of God unless he repents sincerely, denies himself, and becomes renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever heard the crowing of a rooster? It reminds you that you are a follower of Christ, maybe from afar. Maybe you are on the verge of the danger of denying him, and of falling into a horrible sin. Would that the crowing of the rooster awaken you from your deep sleep in sin, and prompt you to confess frankly before the Savior that you might weep over your polluted self, be saved, and live forever.

Prayer
O Lord Jesus, we are not better than Peter. We have denied you thousands of times in our circles, families, and friends, in shameful sins. You know me. Forgive me my sin, purify me completely, and free me from my self-trust that I may trust you alone, experiencing your power through following you. Amen.
Question
How did Peter become gradually broken?