Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 254

September 10;   Mark 14:72;   42/260(II);   ‘Never Too Late’

Mark 14:72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

Peter, never at a loss for words, when Jesus told the disciples that all of them would desert Him in His time of trouble, declared that he would never desert Jesus, even if he had to die with Him.  We know from the gospels, that Peter did deny that he knew Jesus.  Think about that.  Think of the condemnation, discouragement and depression that must have caused in Peter.  This verse tells us that when Peter remembered what he told Jesus and what he did, Peter wept.  Peter must have been sure that his ability to represent Jesus was over.  It is hard to imagine the thoughts that must have gone through Peter’s head.  I believe the Word shows us that Peter sincerely loved Jesus and now, because of Peter’s denial, could he ever represent his Lord in any manner?  After the crucifixion, when Jesus rose from the grave, some women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body.  The stone covering the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away and the women saw an angel inside the tomb.  Jesus’ body was not there, since the Holy Spirit raised Jesus’ spirit from Hades and reunited it with Jesus’ body.  Jesus then ascended into heaven.  The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples, and Peter that they would see Him in Galilee.  Peter’s name was specifically mentioned, as if Jesus wanted Peter to know that it wasn’t over for him.  As the Word tells us, Peter was forgiven, restored and went on to be one of the great leaders of the early church.  Peter was Spirit filled, preached with great power and healed and performed miracles.  You must know that you are loved and nothing you have done has not been forgiven.  Ask Peter.