Mark 14:66-72
66 And while Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the slave women of the high priest *came,
67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, “You were with Jesus the Nazarene as well.”
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch.
69 The slave woman saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them!”
70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “You really are one of them, for you are a Galilean as well.”
71 But he began to curse himself and to swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
72 And immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he hurried on and began to weep.
Peter’s denial of Jesus
In the courtyard of Caiaphas’ residence
The other disciples had fled, but Peter secretly followed Jesus. He stood outside the gate of Caiaphas’s residence, trying to observe what was happening inside. The one who brought him inside was John, as he was acquainted with the high priest, and was able to speak to the gatekeeper woman (John 18:15-18). John likely intended to help Peter, but the outcome turned out to be tragic. After entering the courtyard, Peter denied Jesus three times. (1) Each time, his denial became stronger. (2) The third denial was prompted by a servant of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off (John 18:25-27). (3) At that moment, Peter emphatically declared, “I do not know this Man of whom speak!” The expression “cursed and swore” implies that Peter was willing to incur God’s curse if he was lying. Immediately after this, a rooster crowed. This was the second crowing, indicating that the time was around 3 am. It was then that Peter remembered Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
Peter’s tears
Here, Peter realizes his weakness and the magnitude of his sin. What made him aware of this was the gentle gaze of the Lord Jesus. While Mark and Matthew omit this detail, Luke records it: “And then the Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:61). (1) Peter’s tears were tears of sorrow, realizing his own wretchedness as a human being. He had been wholeheartedly following Jesus, even said that he would sacrifice his life for Him. His sin lay in not recognizing his own weakness. (2) Furthermore, Peter’s tears were tears of repentance. What kind of tears are you shedding? If they are merely of regret or sorrow, they are not beneficial. Jesus looks upon us with gentle eyes. Let’s pray that may our tears become tears of repentance, and like Peter, let’s rise up and follow Jesus our Lord.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, it is myself that I see in Peter. Peter shed tears of repentance and later became a leader of the early church. I thank you that the opportunity for restoration is given even to me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.