Daily Devotion for March 24, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 24

 

A Cock Crowed

 

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

 

As the cock crowed a second time, Peter was forcibly reminded of his Master’s words, that before it should crow twice, he would deny Jesus three times. And so it had proved to be. When he thought of it, Peter wept.

 

Mark’s original words are hard to understand at this point. He does not just tell us that Peter wept, but that he added tears. A long forgotten phrase in the idiom of the people of New Testament days probably lies behind the remark. Mark seems to mean that, on top of all of his other burdens, Peter added tears. He buried his head down further into his cloak and, to the painful recollection of Jesus’ prophecy, he added tears. Luke tells us that Peter could see Jesus being interrogated. Not only had Peter lost his Lord, he had also lost his integrity. No wonder he wept.

 

One more thing: the verb is in the imperfect tense. Peter not only wept, he kept on weeping. He was devastated in his distress. The accusers parted at the sight of this cursing, crying man. They would let him go. He was obviously crazy. Perhaps they said as much; if they did, Peter must have wondered if they were not, in fact, telling the truth.

 

Prayer
Lord, when I think of all the times I said I would never do something, and ended up doing it anyway – I am heart sunk.  I also think of the times I said I would do something for you, and never did.  Forgive me, and please change me to be faithful to you.  Amen

 

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