“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” (Mark 14:72)
The book of Mark is believed to have been written by John Mark as a transcription of Peter’s teachings and contains many references to Peter. In the Scripture of study, he writes about Peter’s bitter betrayal of Jesus. After the last supper with Jesus, Jesus prepares His disciples. “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.” (Matthew 26:31-32) But Peter makes a boastful declaration. “Peter answered and said unto Him, Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:33-35)
Before judging Peter, we have to consider our betrayal. We all, like Peter, have betrayed our Lord. Our sins are a betrayal of His work on the Cross. Let’s not take lightly our weaknesses and defects but consider them a betrayal of the love Jesus had for us in taking our punishment and death and the love He still has for us as He acts as our High Priest before the Father. We have pledged our love for the Lord, our loyalty and devotion to Him because of His undeniable work for us and in us. And yet like Peter in a flash of the flesh, we deny Him by placing ourselves and our desires in the place we hold for the Lord. May we like Peter weep bitterly for our sin and our betrayal.
Later, after the Resurrection, Jesus restores Peter. When Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb to anoint Jesus after the sabbath, an angel tells them, “...Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you.” (Mark 16:6-7) The angel explicitly adds “and Peter.” He leaves no doubt that Jesus wanted Peter to know that He still considered him to be a part of His disciples and that all had been forgiven. Can you imagine Peter’s doubt about his status as a one of Jesus’ closest disciples after denying Him?
After eight days, Jesus again appears to the disciples for the fifth time at the Sea of Tiberias, when they were fishing. At first the disciples don’t recognize Him. They’d been fishing and hadn’t caught any fish. Jesus tells them to cast their nets again. When they comply and their nets are full of fish, they realize it’s the Lord. Peter’s actions are one of love and in his impetuous way, puts on his garment and jumps in the sea in an effort to go to the Lord faster than the boat can take him to shore. We can feel his love and determination to never be separated from the Lord again. It’s the Lord and he wants to be with Him. How often have we felt that love in restoration, when we realize our betrayal hasn’t separated Jesus from us, but that the opposite has happened. We have separated ourselves from the Lord. When we feel that restoration, we just want to be with the Lord.
It's widely accepted that the conversation Jesus has with Peter counters and gives Peter the opportunity to reverse the effects of his denial. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” And twice Peter says, “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” (John 21:15,16) The third time Jesus asks Peter, Peter is grieved. There are studies about the words Jesus used for love. The first two times, Jesus asks Peter if he “agapeo” loves Him, meaning does he love Him much. Jesus did not use the word “agape” which is another word. The third time Jesus uses the word “phileo” for love. Strong’s makes a distinction of head love used with “agapeo” and “phileo” heart love. So the third time Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, Jesus is asking for a love that is devoted to Him. And after each affirmative response, Jesus tells Peter, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) That is how Peter is to demonstrate his love to the Lord. And he is to demonstrate that devotion of Jesus to his martyrdom. (John 21:18-19) Peter is to follow Jesus in dying for Him.
We may never have to face death for our devotion to Jesus as the brethren do in some other countries. But our devotion to Jesus should be just as deep. And our willingness to die for our Lord should be just as firm.
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