And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:53-72

And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 14:53-72 - vv66-72.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv66-72: (1) God in the text: Jesus is secondary in this text; (2) people in the text: Peter denies Jesus three times just as Jesus said would happen in vv26-30; Peter invokes a curse upon himself in v71 in an apparent reference to breaking a command found in Leviticus 5:4-6; as Peter remembers Jesus' words prophesying this, Peter weeps (v72); the servant girl of the high priest and others correctly identify Peter as "with the Nazerene (v67), of them (v69), and of them...a Galilean (v70); (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: believers should not deny Jesus nor swear an oath or bear false witness as Peter did - we should stand firm in our faith and belief in Jesus and trust that He is with us and will strengthen us and protect us (either physically or spiritually in the case of death).  

Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division: 

• The title of the first division is "Peter Models the Unfaithful Witness as to Who He Is for."
• "Peter failed the Lord three times in the garden of Gethsemane (vv37-42). Now he fails Him three times in the courtyard of the high priest. Initially, he failed Him by sleeping when he should have been praying. Now he fails Him by denying Him when he should have confessed Him. The rock named Peter crumbles and is pulverized under the pressure."
• "At the very moment he was voicing his third denial, Jesus “turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:61)."
• Peter's repentance is not specifically mentioned in text but this commentary and John Piper imply a repentance and restoration via Peter's tears (see also Luke 22:62), and Jesus' interactions with Peter after Jesus' resurrection (John 21:15-19); see John Piper's post on this at DesiringGod.com.  
• "Peter would repent, turn to Christ for forgiveness, and receive a full pardon. By contrast Judas would only feel regret, run to the religious leaders to try to make amends, and go out and hang himself (Matthew 27:5). If only he had turned again to the Lord Jesus like Peter. Though his sin was great, he would have discovered that God’s grace was even greater."

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves!  I am not deserving of how You love and save - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:53-72

I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 14:53-72, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Following His arrest, Jesus is led to the high priest - v53.  Jesus then faces his accusers as the chief priests, etc sought evidence and testimony against Jesus - although this was challenging - v55.  The only defense Jesus puts up is to respond in v62 sharing prophecy how He will rise after death to sit at the right hand of God and then ultimately coming again on the clouds. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: We see some of Jesus accusers seek to bear false witness of Jesus and to blaspheme Him - vv56-58; Jesus's response to questioning v62 is seen by His accusers as blasphemy and sufficient evidence to convict Jesus to death.  Some of Jesus' accusers spat on Jesus, mocked Him, and struck Him v65.  Peter is called out as being one of Jesus' followers - three times - but Peter denies it each time - fulfilling prophecy by Jesus v30.  Peter breaks down and weeps v72. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid denying and betraying Jesus (all sin is betrayal), falling away and scattering in the face of persecution, temptation, and fear by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) and standing firm in our faith.  We should claim Jesus' promise that He will return v62 "coming on the clouds of heaven."  See also Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:64; Revelation 1:7.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You for willingly taking on my sin, and the death I deserved - so that I could be saved.  I am not deserving!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.