HOME > About Us > INTRODUCTION
News
Lenten | To Stand Before the Cross
Peter's Denial
Luke 22:54-62
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
After Judah Iscariot went out to the darkness of night, he brought back an army to arrest Jesus. While high priests interrogated Jesus, Peter followed afar, sat by the fire, and hid himself there. Upon bearing the cross and fear of death, Peter was a coward. This image of Peter contrasts to his bold claim at the Last Supper: "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." (John 13:37)
Jesus' Suffering
Mark 14:60-65
And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high preist rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
High priests and their servants humiliated Jesus by spitting on him and striking his face. Jesus had to endure their violence all by himself. While Peter was denying Jesus outside, "I know not this man," Jesus stood silent in suffering before the religious authority.
He Died for Sinners
We cannot judge Peter's weakness here, because Peter's image is ours. Such shameful and coward denials are ours when we stand before the suffering of the cross. Bible tells us with such vividness and honesty the story of Jesus' top student. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
During this year's lenten season, may we confess our fear and weaknesses before Jesus, thereby seeking the true strength that comes from above. May our insufficiencies testify the great grace and sacrificial love of our Lord all the more.
