When Courage Crumbles (Mark 14:53-54; 66-72)

Jesus tells Peter that he will deny ever knowing Jesus, not once, but three times. To which Peter adamantly proclaims, “even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”

Then, after Jesus is arrested, Peter is recognized. The fear of possibly being arrested too takes over, and Peter says the first thing he can think of to distance himself from Jesus. Later, Peter is recognized again... and again and proceeds to deny ever knowing Jesus again… and again. Peter recognized his failure and is so ashamed that “he broke down and wept.”

Can you think of a time when you responded to something out of fear? Because you were afraid of failing or of not being enough? Maybe you were also afraid to upset someone. What happens when we promise boldly, only to break that promise? How would Jesus respond to us if we were Peter in this moment?