Mark 14:66-72 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 14:66-72. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 14:66-72 (NIV)
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”
70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 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.
On verses 66-72: Earlier that day, Peter said to Jesus in front of the other disciples, “Even if all fall away, I will not…Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Mark 14:29, 31) Yet hours later, that very night, Peter finds himself disowning Jesus three times.
Notice this: that night Peter was afraid and reluctant to identify with Jesus the Son of God at the same time that Jesus was going to the cross to identify with sinners like Peter and the rest of us. How many times have I, like Peter, refused to identify with Jesus, and yet at the cross Jesus courageously identified with a sinner like me. God in His humility was willing to associate with sinners, while we in our pride were unwilling to associate with Him.
Peter was so shattered, embarrassed, and heartbroken over his failure that he considered going back to his old profession of fishing (John 21:3). But thankfully that was not the end of Peter’s story. Jesus would end up restoring his relationship with Peter, and Peter would go on to become the rock on which Jesus would build His church.
Peter’s story shows us that what’s most important is not whether or not you have experienced failure in life, but how you respond to failure. Because we’re all human, we will all deal with failure at some point. The question is not whether or not we will fail, but rather how we respond to it when we do.
There are unhealthy ways to deal with failure. You could do nothing but blame others. You could ignore the failure and end up repeating it. You could fear failure so much that you never take any risks. You could internalize a failure, allowing that failure to define your worth. You could give up because of a failure.
But what is the healthy way to deal with failure? In the end Peter’s story shows that, when you respond to failure the right way, failure can actually be your friend. In a message called “A Friend Called Failure” (recorded April 14, 2019 at Thrive Church), I shared from Peter’s denial of Jesus five ways that failure can be your friend:
1. Failure gives you a chance to learn and grow.
2. Failure shows us our need for God.
3. Failure helps you succeed.
4. Failure gives God room to write a greater story with your life.
5. Failure gives us a chance to experience God’s grace.
In that message I also share 4 ways you can respond to failure.
In our passage today, Peter disowns Jesus three times. Later on in John 21, Jesus would intentionally restore Peter three times. It goes to show that for every failure we experience, Jesus has equal portions of grace and mercy to cover us.
I’ve failed so many times, but God’s grace is always there to catch me when I do. His Word promises that somehow He will use even my failures to write a greater story than I could write myself. He’ll do the same with you if you let Him. When you have the right attitude toward failure, failure can be not a gravestone marking your death, but a stepping stone to your destiny.
Thank You Jesus that no matter how many times I’ve failed Your grace has been there to meet me. I pray that I would have a healthy perspective on success and failure. Thank You that my worth is not defined by my performance. Rather my worth was settled at the cross where You gave Your life for me. Knowing that You are with me, may I live courageously for You today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
