The falle of Peter (2)

"Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you." Mark 14. 31

"I do not know the man you're talking about." Mark 14. 71

We saw yesterday all the love that Peter bore to his Master. Yet one day he denied it ! To get there, he had to go down several steps in succession ! Let us follow him in Mark 14.

V. 29 : When Jesus told his disciples that they would be scandalized by what was going to happen to him, Peter replied a little quickly : "Even if all were scandalized, I would not be me", thus showing presumption and contempt of others.

V. 31 : "Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you". He then showed extreme assurance, when he had been warned : "Where I go, you can not follow me now" (John 13:36).

V. 37 : "Simon, you sleep." Jesus who had moved away from his disciples to pray found them asleep again; Pierre has become sleepy for lack of vigilance, he has not even been able to overcome sleep! This shows that he is not aware of his limited limits.

V. 54 : Soldiers come to arrest Jesus ; "Peter followed him from afar." He shows his attachment to the Lord, but also his fear, when he heard : "He that is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him" (Luke 9:26). Then he finds himself "sitting with the guards" to enjoy the warmth of the fire and, no doubt, the latest information.

V. 68, 69 : Recognized by a servant, a panic fear seizes him ; He twice denies being a companion of Jesus ; It is the anguish due to what in our day we call the "pressure of the entourage".

V. 71 : "I do not know this man". Peter had shown of temerity, of boldness, here temerity and boldness are manifested against Jesus, it is the point where he has collapsed !

When he realizes what he has just said, "he began to weep" (verse 72) ; They are tears of repentance, the first step before restoration a few days later (John 21: 15-23).

The example of the collapse of Peter warns us all: do not count on our own abilities ; As soon as the fall begins, we can not stop it alone. But at each step the Master can stop her, then show us her love and forgiveness.

Source (Please the Lord)