We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross. Today we look into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.
(Mark 14:72 NLT) And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Most of us who have been disciples for a while can identify with Peter. We know the pain of failure so we can learn from Peter’s experience.
We experience;
The shame of our failure
The sorrow over our failure and
We learn the comfort of God after our failure
Scripture Reading:
Mark 14:53-72 NIV [53] They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. [54] Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. [55] The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. [56] Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. [57] Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: [58] “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” [59] Yet even then their testimony did not agree. [60] Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” [61] But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” [62] “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [63] The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. [64] “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. [65] Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. [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, 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.
Introduction
We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.
Our first face was of Barabas, the face of favor or grace. Barabbas deserved to die. He was a notorious criminal, If Jesus was going to die in place of someone else, certainly he wouldn’t die in place of someone like Barabbas! But in the providence of God, Jesus did take the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Last week we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene
Mark 15:21 NIV A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
Simon may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.
Today we look into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.
Text
(Mark 14:72 NLT) And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Any of us could have done what Peter did.This careful record of Peter’s failure is a good reminder of the fact that failure as a disciple doesn’t require exceptional weakness or extreme character flaws. Peter, a chief apostle, was present at the cross as a failure.
Let’s review the facts we know about Peter so that we can put his failure in proper perspective. He joined the followers of Jesus very early after his brother, Andrew, brought him to Jesus. He gave up a fishing business to become a “fisher of people.”
Mark 1:16-18 NLT[16] One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. [17] Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” [18] And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Jesus chose him to be one of the twelve apostles
Matthew 10:1-4 NLT [1] Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. [2] Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), [3] Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, [4] Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Jesus later included Peter in the “inner circle.” He was present at the transfiguration of our Lord.
Mark 9:2-4 NLT [2] Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, [3] and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. [4] Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Peter would have been an “eyewitness” of most of his miracles. He would have received personal instruction from the Lord on a daily basis for over three years before his failure.
Peter had not always been a failure. He was the one who gave the bold confession that so delighted Jesus’ heart.
Matthew 16:13-19 NLT [13] When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [14] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” [15] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. [18] Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. [19] And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
Peter was the most aggressive disciple when Jesus was arrested
John 18:10-11 NLT [10] Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. [11] But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
Peter had never been without words before. But now under the pressure of the circumstance, facing the scrutiny of the group in the courtyard of the high priest, he vehemently denied three times that he knew the Lord.
Though he had loved the Lord, he denied him.
Most of us who have been disciples for a while can identify with Peter. We know the pain of failure so we can learn from Peter’s experience.
We experience;
The shame of our failure
The sorrow over our failure and
we learn the comfort of God after our failure
I. The shame of our failure.
Failure is always shameful but is especially so when detected in the life of someone so privileged like Peter.
A. Peter had no intention of failing.
His intentions were to be faithful to the Lord regardless of what might happen. He sincerely expressed these intentions in the Upper Room as the disciples observed the Passover.
Matthew 26:33-35 NLT [33] Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” [34] Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” [35] “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
But in making his spiritual calculations, Jesus warned him by telling Peter that Satan had made a request to sift him “as wheat,”
Luke 22:31-32 NLT [31] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. [32] But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter ignored the warning. He felt sufficient in his own strength for any power that might rise against him.
Luke 22:33 NLT [33] Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
Wise men and women are careful to measure the strength of their enemy. Those who succeed in discipleship are always mindful that the enemy is like a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Peter learned this truth the hard way. In fact he wrote later in
1 Peter 5:8 NLT [8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
B. Failure represents a mistaken concept of self.
Peter did not know himself as well as he thought. Peter couldn’t do all that he thought he could do. More of the “old Simon” was still present in him than he wanted to admit.
Peter’s words of dedication spoken in the upper room did not come from his faith inGod, but rather from his faith in himself. They were the bold claims of a self-sufficient man.
On the contrary, our only hope of avoiding failure is by wholly depending on the Lord and his strength.
Romans 7:18-25 NLT [18] And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. [19] I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. [20] But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. [21] I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God’s law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [24] Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? [25] Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
C. Failure involves a denial of Christ.
As Peter tried to be inconspicuous in the courtyard, he was discovered. Three times he was asked if he was a follower of Jesus, who was then on trial. Each time Peter’s response was the same. He denied that he had ever known the Lord. Because he suspected that his denial was not convincing the crowd, the third time even included a religious oath and curses.
Mark 14:71 NLT [71] Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
Many of us have done the same shameful thing. It may have been by our words or by our deeds, but we denied Christ. Likely the circumstance under which we did it was not nearly so threatening, but failing our Lord is a shameful deed under any circumstance.
II. Then comes the sorrow over our failure.
A. A sign of repentance.
Peter’s sorrow began the moment he heard the rooster crow, reminding him of the warning the Lord had spoken to him.
Then there was the look that he received from Jesus as he remembered. The look must have emanated sorrow and hurt. It sent Peter out into the night to express his sorrow with tears.
Luke 22:61-62 NLT [61] At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” [62] And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
Peter was not merely sorry that he had been caught in his denial, but was sorry for his failure and for how it had hurt Jesus. True disciples weep over their failures. They are never proud or boastful about such shameful matters. There is no real repentance without this type of sorrow when we know we have failed.
B. But we can recover.
The Scriptures assure us that God is near to those with a “broken and contrite heart.”
Psalms 51:17 NLT The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.+
I believe that if Peter had approached the whole ordeal with the same broken spirit that he had when he came out of it, he never would have failed. But he soon discovered that his tears were not in vain. Our forgiving and compassionate God takes note of such sorrow.
Once we have gone through the shame of our failure and experienced the sorrow of our failure and truly repented then we will experience;
III. God’s comfort and consolation, after our failure.
Peter’s experience is good news for every one of us. Our failures do not have to be final.
A. There’s the comfort in knowing that we have been forgiven.
Tears of repentance will bring us to the comfort of forgiveness. Martin Luther wrote, “No article of the creed is so hard to believe as this: I believe in the forgiveness of sins. But look at Peter. If I could paint a portrait of Peter, I would write on every hair of his head forgiveness of sins.”
How do we know that Peter was forgiven?
After Jesus rose from the dead, he sent a special message to his disciples, and specifically mentioned Peter.
Mark 16:5-7 NLT [5] When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, [6] but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. [7] Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
Our Lord forgave Peter fully, and he will forgive us when we fail.
B. Then there is the comfort of fellowship.
Much of the sorrow related to failure comes from our broken fellowship with Jesus. Knowing that we have disappointed him makes us uncomfortable in his presence. But after we receive his forgiveness, we can begin to enjoy his company again. This was true for Peter in the time he spent with Jesus after the resurrection. The fellowship was restored. He was not banished forever as he may have thought he might be.
John 21:17 NLT [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
Conclusion
Do you think Peter’s failure came as a surprise to Jesus? Hardly. The Lord knew all about Peter. He had his number. And He knew this about Peter the day He called him and gave him his new name, which meant “Rock.” Jesus knew what Peter would become. He didn’t just see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be.
And that is how God sees us. We see our shortcomings. We see our flaws. But God looks at us and says, “I see what you are going to be. I see a finished piece of art. You just see a blank canvas. I see a refined diamond. You see a lump of coal. I see what you will be.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT [8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Jesus knew that Peter would fail. Peter’s failure came as no shock to Jesus. And neither does yours.
How we deal with our failures is important. For Peter a shameful failure became a positive experience as he allowed his heart to be broken and struggled to gain another opportunity to show his loyalty. The record of Peter’s ministry in the book of Acts after he was filled with the Holy Spirit is evidence enough of what a failure can become. How are you handling your failures?
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Merciful Father, I come before you with a repentant heart, acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. I confess my need for your forgiveness and mercy. Wash me clean, O Lord, and create in me a pure heart. I trust in your unfailing love and rely on your grace to restore and renew me. Thank you for the forgiveness I find in Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray.
Amen.
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