Daily Devotion for March 22, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 22

Second Denial

 

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."  Again he denied it. Mark 14:69-70a

 

Matthew tells us that it was another maid who found Peter in the portico (Matthew 26:71), Luke refers to males who were present (Luke 22:58). Doubtless a small group, including his first accuser, followed Peter out of the courtyard to confront him further. Their interest was aroused. If this was, indeed, one of the followers of the Nazarene, then their master might be pleased to hear it. And there had been violence done in the Garden when they arrested Jesus, but the perpetrators had gotten away. Maybe this man was one of those who had resisted; maybe he was even the one who had lashed out with his sword. If so, he must be a dangerous and hardened criminal. It was their duty to expose him and to see him arrested.

 

The maid was adamant, so she said to those who had come with her that this was indeed the man. Perhaps she had seen him in the temple court with Jesus, or as He entered Jerusalem. Did they try to hold him, but hesitated when they saw that he was a hefty fisherman? Peter drew back further into the shadows, but any observer would probably have been able to see the guilt of association written on his face. If he did not know this Jesus, why had he run away from them? He was obviously from the north. She was sure.

 

Then Peter denied Him again, and the big fisherman was caught fast in the net of his own deceit.

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, when we deny the truth, we sink deeper and deeper in our deception.  Help me to recognize my sins, but more than just recognize them, to change and not go deeper and farther from you. Amen

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