How do you stay in a relationship with someone who is untrustworthy? This is a difficult question and one that must be dealt with daily because everyone human being will fail and fail in relationships. It’s little wonder that romance novels have such a huge corner of the book market. In these books there is always some form longing fulfilled, some form of desire that is satisfied, and some sort of resolution to the unresolvable in real life. What if the following were included in marriage vows?
I will fail you. You will fail me. Will you forgive me? I will forgive you.
While friendships rarely have a formal ceremony, what if we engaged with these same questions for the platonic relationships we have? Or what if we applied them to the spiritual relationships with pastors, teachers and the other disciples we walk with? Imagine a world where all of us faced the music and really loved one another—failures and all.
Our study today is one of the most difficult Bible stories in the Gospels. Most likely we are drawn to the story of Peter’s failure in Mark 14 because we see ourselves in him. Or perhaps we look the other way for that very same reason. If we are good students of the Bible, though, we must look long and hard at this difficult Bible story to discover what we can to help us in our Christian journey.
Let’s first look at a contrast between two tragic failures. In Mark 14:12-21 we see how Jesus declared publicly that someone was going to betray him. We know that this is the person of Judas. While Jesus prophesied about this tragedy, commentators acknowledge that just because he spoke about what was going to take place in the future, it was not the cause of the behavior of Judas.[1] Jesus’ strong warning in v. 20 shows how very aware he was of impending betrayal. “But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Almost every person in that Passover room was struck with sorrow at such words. Oh, that Judas had been so struck!
To betray is defined as the exposing (one's country, a group, or a person) to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy, or to be disloyal to. It is here that we have to draw a very clear distinction between Judas’ wickedness and Peter’s failure. Betrayal, in the context of the Last Supper, leads us to the realization that there was a true intent by Judas to be treacherous. Just look back at the behavior of Judas and the corrupt religious leaders – colluding together, exchanging money to lay a trap, coordinating efforts—all of which describe something that is not just a capricious event. How did Jesus love someone who he knew would betray him? He offered warnings and rebuke.
By contrast, then, let’s look at the English translations of the words that are used in relation to Peter’s behavior.
Deserter or To Fall away (All of the disciples and Peter) Mark 14:27
· abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous.
· (of a quality or ability) fail (someone), especially at a crucial moment when most needed.
· especially: a member of a military force who abandons service without leave. a wartime deserter
Disown/Deny (Peter’s Statement) Mark 14:29-31
· to refuse to acknowledge or maintain any connection with
· to refuse to acknowledge as one's own
· to repudiate any connection or identification with
· to deny the validity or authority of
· state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of
· refuse to give or grant (something requested or desired) to (someone)
While these words could be used in a premeditated fashion, none of these in the original language are used in relation to Judas.
So, while some of us have experienced betrayal, all of us have experienced desertion and being denied. Yes, let’s face it full on. All of us have done this and all of us have been on the sad receiving end of that. So, what is our resolution?
Let’s keep looking at Peter’s failure to come to that answer. In Mark 14:27-31 we read that not only did Peter declare he would never fail Jesus, but all the others also said the same!
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Jesus quoted from the ancient prophet Zechariah (13:7). In quoting this prophecy Jesus clearly identified himself as the Shepherd and declared that he was the promised Messiah. In just a very little time, that scattering was to happen. In Mark 14:32-51 we see how deeply disappointed Jesus was in his disciples as they slept and then later fled while he took on the burden and sorrows still to come.
How would you feel if your spouse or best friend looked you in the eye and said that you were going to fail them? To be honest, I would respond as ardently and hastily as did Peter, “I would never do that to you!” But somewhere deep down, despite all of my present convictions and willpower, I would be profoundly aware that I would.
Three years earlier they had all left everything to follow Jesus – they left their work, their families, their places in society, and their political protections for this Man. Wasn’t that enough to prove their loyalty and commitment? Apparently not.
Jesus got pointedly personal with Peter. Yes! He would disown him, not just once, but three times! And Peter pointed right back. By his zealous outcry, he declared that Jesus really did not know him, his commitment, or his love. And he announced for all to hear that he was infallible in his dedication.
Jesus set up a marker for Peter, he implanted an audible sound that would trigger reality. A rooster would crow twice as Peter’s denial was played out. Yes, even that night and before dawn Peter’s dedication and commitment would crumble. How did Jesus love someone he knew would desert him?
It is important for us to understand the risks that Peter took as we see him follow Jesus after his arrest. Mark 14:53-54 reads: They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. At this time in history there were two powerful groups: The priestly religious system in Judaism and the secular Roman government. Each had their own military powers, and each had their own legal authority. And sometimes the two colluded. Everyone who knew anything about the incredible power that both groups held would have respected and feared them. By the priestly power, a person could be stripped of connection with the community that supported them. And by secular power, a person could lose their life. This is the kind of power circle that Peter elected to walk into on that terrible night. Donald Burdick wrote: “Perhaps because he was determined to fulfill his boast of loyalty, Peter followed Jesus. However, fear held him at a distance . . .”[2] To be fair to Peter, and not be too quick to cast judgment, he was facing terrible odds. And yet, he sat down next to guards who could lay their hands on him and ruin his life.
While Jesus was in these second of four trials and upstairs in the high priest’s chambers being tried unlawfully at night, it is also important to see who all is in that arena. In that chamber were many of the religious leaders, elders and teachers of the law staring at and accusing Jesus. Certainly Peter, and another disciple (see John 18:15-16), were in the area, but Peter had to stay out in the cold with those guards. In the courtyard then we discover that there were servants as well. While we might be perplexed by an assertive servant girl’s behavior, Craig Keener gives us context on her: “Slaves in aristocratic households exercised more power and status than the average free person.”[3] Read Mark 14:66-70.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 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.”
The servant girl’s derision of Jesus as “that Nazarene” and Peter being a Galilean speak of the kind of power of influence and inside information she had. She knew who was upstairs at that moment. And she knew what the guards could do to Peter as one the followers of Jesus. Jirair Tashjian, fleshes this out further for us.
Matthew tells us that Galileans had a dialect of their own and could be recognized by their speech (26:73). We might wonder what the crowd meant when they accused Peter of being one of them. Who were ‘them’? Agitators and nationalist groups often tried to start riots and uprisings against Roman occupation during the Passover feast in Jerusalem. Peter no doubt feared that the high priest and the Sanhedrin may have perceived Jesus and His followers as a messianic movement advocating a violent revolution against Rome. Roman authorities gave the Sanhedrin special privileges for its collaboration with Rome’s agenda. Peter may have feared that the Sanhedrin would hand over Jesus and His followers to Roman authorities for trial and the death penalty by crucifixion, which is exactly what happened to Jesus. If it became known that Peter was a Jesus follower, he might also be arrested, put on trial, and condemned to death.[4]
While Peter’s first defense, “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” could have been a standard first legal defense[5] or an effort at self-protection, his second denial moves him further into failure. At that point, everyone else in the courtyard was probably looking at him. The threat is even more alarming and is at its peak for Peter.
He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (Mark 14:71)
I wonder at the guilt and sorrow that some people bear over making such a statement. Many Christians persecuted across the globe today are faced with similar threats and the reality of death for their faith in Jesus Christ. Certainly, there are some who have denied him and survived. Jirair Tashjian makes another poignant point: “Peter was, of course, lying when he denied that he knew Jesus. Still, as some scholars have pointed out, it is a sad irony that Peter was in fact speaking an awful truth. He did not know Jesus. He did not know what kind of Messiah Jesus was.”[6] How did Jesus love someone he knew would deny him?
The final scene in Peter’s denial is so agonizing. While Jesus was upstairs blindfolded and beaten, Peter had fled near the door, perhaps hearing the threats and cries of the religious leaders and the thumps of fists hitting Jesus’ head. And then the audible sound triggered reality.
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. (Mark 14:72)
Why did Peter remember in just that moment? Daniel Powers wrote: “The reality of failure can often seem to destroy and darken every prospect of hope of restoration.”[7] Why hadn’t he remembered before and stopped himself? Why didn’t he run up the stairs and stand next to Jesus? Why could he not have been faithful?
Why? Because he was human—completely, utterly, tragically human . . . and in need of a Savior. If Peter’s own will was strong enough, why would he need Jesus? He would not. If Peter’s own power was sufficient to help him stand, why would he need Jesus? He would not. But Peter needed Jesus and his saving work and his sorrow and his suffering and his resurrection.
Quickly, quickly let’s scroll back just in Mark 14 to see how Jesus pointed to the resurrection even before all fled from him and abused him. He was planting the seeds of real and lasting faith tethered to his grace and forgiveness.
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. (14:28)
And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (14:62)
How does Jesus love someone he knows will deny him?
He just does it because he is all Love, all Light, all Hope, all Forgiveness, all Peace. He has already completed the work of salvation through his death and resurrection once and for all. We only need to take hold of that Salvation and live into the restoration that is possible when we fail him.
Will you dare to speak these words aloud?
I will fail Jesus. He will forgive me when I ask him.
Jesus will never fail me.
It is important that we see more of the story, so that Peter’s story is not swallowed up in despair. In Mark 16:6-7 we can read the important post-resurrection message that Mark so powerfully wrote for everyone.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
And then we read in the book of Acts that the first person to preach about repentance of sins is none other than Peter! Yes, Peter the failure had his defeat turned into triumph by his restoration of Jesus (John 21:15-19), and the infilling of the promised Holy Spirit. Our failures, transformed by the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and the promise of a future filled with hope, can fuel the proclamation of the Gospel! Who but Peter could preach with such passion and understanding of the human experience and failure, and with the greater reality of forgiveness and salvation? Read part of his sermon and now and the whole of it later.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Acts 3:13-15
Will you lay your failures at the feet of Jesus today? He is waiting to restore you!
“Self-awareness and brokenness are often the beginning of growth and restoration.”
--Daniel Powers
© M.R.Hyde 2023
[1] Beacon Bible Commentary, Beacon Hill Press, Kansas City, MO, 1964, p. 393
[2] Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Moody Press, Chicago IL, 1990, p. 1021.
[3] The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, InterVarsity Press, Downer’s Grove, IL, 1993, p. 179.
[4] Illustrated Bible Life, Spring 2023, The Foundry Press, Kansas City, MO, 2023.
[5] The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, p. 1524.
[6] IBL.
[7] Faith Connections Bible Study Guide, The Foundry Press, Kansas City, MO, p. 13-14.
