A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 14:66-72)

“But he denied it.…Again he denied it….Immediately 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.” (See Mark 14:66-72 for full text)

In Mark 14:66–72, Peter denied Jesus three times before remembering that Jesus had warned him it would happen. Several people accused Peter of connections with Jesus while he waited for the outcome of Jesus' trial. His love and commitment to Jesus, however, did not stand the test of fear. The first two times he was approached, Peter denied his identity with Jesus. The third time Peter denied Jesus himself, invoking curses on himself if indeed he was lying. At that point a rooster crowed, and his conscience was awakened. The author of this Gospel recounts that Peter was overcome with grief. Since many believe that Mark's Gospel is Peter's eyewitness account of the life of Christ, several observations should be made. First, Peter made no attempt to obscure his greatest mistakes. Second, even the most committed can fail. Last, Jesus always offers forgiveness and restoration to the greatest of sinners.

KEY QUESTIONS: Have I ever failed the test of fear? What does this say about my level of love and commitment? Do I tend to live with condemnation and beat myself up for the past? Or am I able to own my mistakes, seek forgiveness and restoration, and move on?