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

  • 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
  • Ephesians 3:14-16
  • 1 Peter 5:8-9

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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.

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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.

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