Daily Devotion for March 21, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 21

First Denial

 

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.  Mark 14: 66-68

 

Our attention is turned from Jesus, suffering before His accusers, to Peter, waiting by the brazier in the courtyard.

 

A servant girl, a member of the high priest’s household, came by. Quite likely she was excited by the events that night and was heading off to discuss them with other servants. On her way she noticed Peter warming himself by the fire. Something about him reminded her of another time, another place, and she recognized him as one of those Galileans. "You were with Jesus of Nazareth," she said. We may imagine a hush falling upon those others who stood, waiting, in that corner of the courtyard. Was there a spy in their midst? Now was the time for Peter to play the hero’s part, to stand up for what he believed, as he had promised he would. But …

 

‘But he denied, saying, "I know not".’ Peter meant to say "I know him not," but he was so agitated he fell over his words. "And I don’t know what you’re talking about," he continued. The original is brusque, rough, in the idiom of the north. It is as though Peter reverted to the dialect of Galilee to cover his embarrassment. Cocky, assured Simon Peter, the self proclaimed leader of the disciples was suddenly reduced to the status of a tongue-tied country bumpkin by a question from a young girl.

 

He hurried out onto the porch, trembling both at his narrow escape and at his denial of his Lord. We can picture him, in the shaded archways of the entrance portico, gathering his breath. At that moment a cock crowed.

 

Have we ever denied Jesus, not only by our words, but by our actions?  Have we failed to stand up and be numbered as one of “Jesus” very own?

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive me for also denying you like Peter.  Give me the courage to stand up for you and be known as one of Yours.  Amen

 

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