The Devil and Defeat
Go Tell Peter – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Mark 14:66-72

Key Verse: Mark 16:7

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “

The Apostle Peter was no softie when it came to manhood. A fisherman by trade, Peter had worked in a tough atmosphere and in rough conditions. He had learned to fight the harsh conditions of the sea while trying to eke out a living. Yet, Jesus had shown him a better way to do life and a compassion for his fellowman that Peter had never known.

Peter was a self-confident man, so when Jesus predicted that he would deny His Lord, Peter refused to believe it! But, as our additional scripture reading section reveals, Peter did exactly as Jesus predicted. The last phrase of this section is a stunning conclusion when we think of the man Peter really was: “And he broke down and wept” (Mark 16:72c).

Have you been there? Have you been so disappointed in yourself—in your behavior—that you just “broke down and wept”? Most of us have had those horrible moments in our lives. As believers we have come to understand what Jesus did for us. We owe Him our lives—our eternity—yet our flesh still wins out in spite of our determination to never let it happen! Yes, I think most of us know exactly how Peter was feeling after his denial.

One of my favorite verses is our key verse. That may sound strange, but for me it represents the deep compassion of Jesus. “Go tell the disciples and Peter.” Peter was a disciple; he didn’t need to be mentioned separately. Jesus wanted to let Peter know it was OK.

Father, thank you for your loving, compassionate heart for us, even when we fail so miserably. I receive it in Jesus’ Name, amen.