But Peter denied [having been with Jesus]. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
—Mark 14:68 NLT
Peter denies the Lord, just as Jesus had warned him that he would, but this is only the first denial. On cue, the rooster crows as if God is trying to stir Peter's soul to a new-found fortitude or to remind him of his failure that has just begun to unfold. As the verses that follow show (Mark 14:69-72), Peter does not awaken from his spiritual slumber until later. He continues down the path of denial and abandonment that was begun in the Garden of Gethsemane when he ran away as Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50). How many times have we been caught in the lure of sin or the spiral of spiritual weakness and not heeded the Lord's warning and not found his way of escape?
O God, forgive me for not heeding your warnings, for not summoning my courage, for not asking for your Spirit's power, and for not taking your way of escape. Strengthen me by your Spirit, I pray, and open my eyes to see your way to avoid my times of temptation and sin. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Mark 14:68 NLT
Key Thought
Peter denies the Lord, just as Jesus had warned him that he would, but this is only the first denial. On cue, the rooster crows as if God is trying to stir Peter's soul to a new-found fortitude or to remind him of his failure that has just begun to unfold. As the verses that follow show (Mark 14:69-72), Peter does not awaken from his spiritual slumber until later. He continues down the path of denial and abandonment that was begun in the Garden of Gethsemane when he ran away as Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50). How many times have we been caught in the lure of sin or the spiral of spiritual weakness and not heeded the Lord's warning and not found his way of escape?
Today's Prayer
O God, forgive me for not heeding your warnings, for not summoning my courage, for not asking for your Spirit's power, and for not taking your way of escape. Strengthen me by your Spirit, I pray, and open my eyes to see your way to avoid my times of temptation and sin. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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