What Jesus Did! 'No Way!' — Mark 14:68

Thursday, November 21, 2024

But Peter denied [having been with Jesus]. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
— Mark 14:68 NLT

Key Thought

Peter denies the Lord, just as Jesus had warned him that he would, but this is only the first denial. On cue, the rooster crows as if God is trying to stir Peter's soul to a new-found fortitude or to remind him of his failure that has just begun to unfold. As the verses that follow show, [1] Peter does not awaken from his spiritual slumber until later. He continues down the path of denial and abandonment that was begun in the Garden of Gethsemane when he ran away as Jesus was arrested. [2] How many times have we been caught in the lure of sin or the spiral of spiritual weakness and not heeded the Lord's warning and not found his way of escape?

[1] Mark 14:69-72.
[2] Mark 14:50.

Today's Prayer

O God, forgive me for not heeding your warnings, for not summoning my courage, for not asking for your Spirit's power, and for not taking your way of escape. Strengthen me by your Spirit, I pray, and open my eyes to see your way to avoid my times of temptation and sin. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 14:68 NLT — But Peter denied [having been with Jesus]. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, November 21, 2024

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 29:25
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'My Promises for You!'
"Dear Precious One, The events that led to Paul's journey to Rome and his shipwreck and other problems along the way began in Jerusalem. Some Jews..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Great and Awesome God' (Ne. 1:6)
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul's Plans Led to Hardship' (Acts 21:4)
"[Paul and his companions] went ashore [in Tyre], found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!