Day Three Mark 14:66-72
66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”
71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept. – Mark 14:66-72 (NLT)
Discover
1. Compare and contrast Peter in these verses with Peter in verses 29-31.
2. What causes him to deny following Jesus three times?
3. Why do you think Peter breaks down and weeps after he remembers Jesus’ words?
Respond
It’s hard to be a Christ follower without staying close to Jesus, and Peter’s denial proves it. Instead of staying by the side of Jesus, Peter warms himself alone at the enemy’s fire. In this moment alone, Peter relies on himself, and the result is his denial of Jesus three times. If it can happen to Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions, it can happen to anyone. Take the next few moments to consider: are you trying to follow Jesus in your own strength and from a distance or do you stay close to Him? Ask God to help you truly understand the meaning of remaining in Jesus, knowing that apart from Him you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).
For Further Reading: The Rooster’s Crow
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.