Time to Change

Mark 14:67-72 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 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.
 
GOD was using Satan to sift the head-strong Peter. Peter’s first denial is a simple, “I don’t know or don’t understand what you’re talking about.” But his fury grows with his third response. Peter began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Peter, in effect, was saying, “May God strike me dead if I’m lying.”
   But strong words do not change a lie to truth. And the truth is the Spirit quickly convicted Peter of his sin. At the rooster’s crow, he broke down and wept. At that moment, Peter’s restoration and healing began.
   Peter had demonstrated he was unwilling to fully accept Jesus’ teachings and prophecies. Several times Peter needed to say, “Yes, Lord.” and allow Jesus’ words to settle into his spirit, so he would submit to Jesus. When the rooster crowed, Peter’s fear of the servants’ accusations turned to despair when he felt God’s accusing finger on him.  
   When we know we have broken God’s law we will either justify or mourn our behavior. To justify our actions is to place our will above God’s. Peter had done this when he rejected Jesus’ warning, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today – yes, tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” (Mark 14:30) His emphatic denial was a willful rebellion against God.
   But now Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” With a love for Jesus in his heart, he broke down and wept. Peter’s deep mourning echoes the cry throughout Scripture, from God’s chosen leaders who have recognized their rebellion: 2 Samuel 12:13a Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”    
   Now Peter is ready to become Jesus’ true disciple. The Lord has opened his mind to understand the consequences of disowning Jesus’ teachings. He is now ready to own – to receive and keep – the Lord’s will for his life. He will live in the security of the Lord’s great promise: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
 
What Do You Think? It seems if one knows very little of the Bible, he knows about this pivotal moment in Peter’s life. For some reason we seem to focus on the man’s failure’s. Perhaps it gives ease to our own shortcomings. Or perhaps this assures us God will not abandon his own, even as we so deeply sin.