‘Mark 14:66-72: The Courageous Lord II’

 

Imaginary John has just started a new job.  He hasn’t yet got around to telling his workmates that he is a Christian.  When he sees how people make fun of Jane, the other Christian in the company, he is not sure that he wants people to know that he too follows Jesus.  It’s difficult to be faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

John is told not too put certain things through the company books.  It’s explained that some transactions are best run on a ‘cash only’ basis, he knows that this is to avoid paying VAT.  John is aware that this is wrong but doesn’t want to upset his boss.  It’s difficult being faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

In the canteen the conversation revolves around dirty jokes and juicy gossip.  He believes that it is good to be friendly with these guys but he feels the pressure to laugh along at what is being said.  He doesn’t know what to do.  It is difficult being faithful to Jesus in John’s workplace.

Being faithful is difficult.  It is difficult for us.  As we see in this passage, it was difficult for Peter.  And remember too, it was difficult for Jesus.

Peter crumbles under pressure

It is the night before the cross.   Jesus is in the high priest’s house where he has been tried by the Sanhedrin.  Outside in the courtyard is Peter, who has followed at a distance.  He is sitting with the guards warming himself by the fire. 

One of the servant girls of the high priest comes by and sees Peter.  She looks at him closely and says, in front of the guards, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”   What a scary position Peter finds himself in!  If he admits to being one of Jesus’ disciples will they arrest him also?

Now Peter by nature is not a coward.  I reckon that if I were one of the disciples I would not have followed all the way to the high priest’s house but would be with the others wherever they had fled to.  Neither is Peter half-hearted.  After all he had been sincere when he had passionately promised Jesus, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”  However, what does he do when the pressure is really on?  He denies knowing Jesus, “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entrance.

You’re at the hairdresser or barber, you’re sitting on the train or in a taxi, you’re in school or at work and someone begins to ask you questions about yourself.  How do you feel about letting them know that you are a Christian?  Are we a bit uncomfortable with being different?  Are there times when we would rather not be thought of as a Jesus-freak?  How many times we have denied Jesus with our silence!

Peter wasn’t prepared

This girl is a real pest.  She sees Peter at the entrance and now accuses him in front of those who are standing around there.  “This fellow is one of them.”  Again Peter’s courage fails him.  For a second time he denies knowing Jesus. 

But with the suspicion sown in the minds of those who were standing there they begin to accuse him themselves.  “Surely, you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”  They had recognised Peter’s northern accent and knew that Jesus and his disciples were northerners.  Peter began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man you are talking about.”

Why did Peter’s courage fail him?  Primarily because he hadn’t taken Jesus’ advice!  Do you remember back in Gethsemane?  Jesus had said to Peter, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Sadly three times Peter had failed to pray, and now three times he fails to identify himself with Jesus.  Sincerity and passion, in and of themselves, are not enough.  If we want to remain faithful to Jesus when the pressure is on then we need to be dependent on God and asking him for the faithfulness that he alone can give.  You might be the most naturally courageous person in this room but if you are not a person of dependant prayer there will come times when your courage will utterly fail you and you let your Saviour down.[1]

Peter would be restored

Immediately the cock crowed the second time.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.”  And he broke down and wept. 

Mark’s original readers, the church at Rome, would have known of Peter.  They would have known him as one of the leaders of the fledgling Christian church.  They would have known him as a man used mightily by God.  Despite the fact that Peter had failed Jesus in such a spectacular and terrible way as this Jesus did not finished with him.  Jesus’ death on the cross offers forgiveness for sins like this. 

What an encouragement that is to us!  That even when we depend on our own courage, and so end up failing him, our Saviour does not give up on us!  Rather he longs to restore us, and helping to bring us to our feet he beckons us to continue following him on the path in which he is leading us.

Conclusion—The Courageous Lord!

You may have noticed that I have called this sermon ‘the courageous Lord’.  That might seem an unusual title given that we have been looking at Peter and his failure.  However, I don’t think that Mark wants us to dwell only on Peter as we look at these verses.  All through his Gospel Mark’s focus has been on the person of Jesus.  I believe that he includes this passage to highlight just how wonderful Jesus really is!

You see, this passage is a contrast to last week’s.  Both are trial scenes.  In one Jesus is on trial before the Sanhedrin, in the other Peter is being tried informally by those gathered in the courtyard.  In one the defendant remains utterly true; in the other the defendant lies on his own oath.  Peter had not prepared himself in prayer and failed; Jesus had prayed and resolutely stood firm.  Peter was not especially cowardly, but Jesus was especially brave.[2]  In contrast to the failings of his followers Jesus is the one who demonstrates that he is uniquely worthy to die for the sins of the world.  We ought to compare these two passages and marvel at how heroic this Jesus really is.

 

As we marvel at the wonderful courage of Jesus let us be a people who are determined to be faithful to him.  As we go in to school or work tomorrow, as we face neighbours or family who don’t know him, let us be keen to be known as his.  But let’s make sure that we don’t make the same mistake as Peter, Peter who thought that he could depend on his own courage, rather let’s be people who depend on the courage that only God can give.  And if and when we fail him, let’s remember that he hasn’t given up on us, but beckons us to be restored to him and continue again on the path that he has set before us.

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[1] Peter may also have denied Jesus in part because he was ashamed about what was happening.  In chapter 8 when Peter’s eyes were opened to see that Jesus was the Christ, he immediately went on to show that he did not yet grasp what sort Christ Jesus would be.  As Jesus gave the first of his predictions concerning his death Peter rebuked him.  Rejection and suffering had no part in his perception of what God’s promised king should be like.  Now the one he claimed was the Christ looks to be facing defeat.

[2] Barnett (1991) The Servant King, Aquila Press.