The Cowardly Lion

Mark 14:54, 66-72

This is a heart-wrenching story. Yet, just because there's an end, does it mean that's "the end"?

How often in our own lives do we judge someone over disappointment or because there's been a disagreement? "You don't agree with me, so we're done!" "You didn't stick up for me, so we're done!" "What you did was shameful beyond belief, so we're done!" The End.

Where is there room for grace? For mercy? For healing? For growth? Isn't this what Jesus is about?

To throw stones at Peter is easy. In the face of adversity, Peter failed. He denied Jesus not once; not twice; he denied knowing Jesus three times. Instead of being courageous, Peter used this moment for self-preservation.

Let's take a step back though and piece the story together. Let's see what "the end" truly is.

Earlier that evening, Jesus told the disciples, "You will become deserters."  Peter immediately responded, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." What happened then in the Garden of Gethsemane? Upon Jesus' arrest, the disciples fled. All of them.

End of the story? No. In all of the ensuing chaos, Peter drummed up the courage to stealthily follow Jesus to the house of the High Priest. While he wasn't inside, Peter stood on the outside in the courtyard. This disciple meant to keep his word.

On a cold night, Peter warmed himself by the fire. In the light produced by the flames, he was recognized by one of the High Priest's servant-girls who "stared at him."

"You were also with Jesus, the man from Nazareth."

How did a servant-girl have this knowledge? Jesus preached the message of Good News to all, but especially to the poor, to those in need. Would not this servant-girl have been drawn to such a message? Being a servant, even to the High Priest, wouldn't exclude one from being poor. It may have been an honor to serve Caiaphas, but a retirement plan wasn't in the works for that privilege of servitude.

By her statement, the servant-girl had actually been in the presence of Jesus -- at some point that week. How so? She had seen Peter "with Jesus, the man from Nazareth."

Peter knows he's standing on rocky pavement and in unfriendly confines. He utters a quick denial and makes his way to the gateway of the courtyard, but... he doesn't leave. "The cock crowed."

The servant-girl doesn't want a potentially money-making opportunity to escape. She says to others in the crowd, "This man is one of them."

While her heart may have been lifted by Jesus' message for a better future to come, the servant-girl had an opportunity to be instantly rewarded in her "present." To turn in a wanted man -- and the disciples were wanted -- would've lined someone's purse. Hers.

Again, Peter verbally denies it. In so doing, an observation is made by someone nearby.

"Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean."

How did they know? Peter's accent gave him away. It was known fact that 11 of the 12 disciples were from Galilee. Standing in the courtyard of the High Priest at this absurd hour and with this emotionally wrought throng, no one would want to be associated with Jesus. Guilt by association would equal death.

What is Peter's response? For the third time, he denies Jesus. Vehemently. "I do not know this man you are talking about."

The rooster crows (or the priestly Temple Crier calls out) for the second time. At that moment, in saving his own neck, Peter realizes what he has done. "And he broke down and wept."

Why wasn't Peter arrested? By weeping, he admitted his guilt, yes? Not under that type of stress and pressure. His breakdown could've easily been looked upon as nothing more than weakness. Who among them could provide the necessary proof that Peter was a disciple?

Is this a story of cowardice? Of shame? It has those elements but there's more to the story.

The writer of the Gospel of Mark was very sharp. He brought irony to the page. On the inside of the High Priest's palace, false witness was being provided against Jesus. Simultaneously, on the outside, false witness was also provided.

Who among the disciples was the first to be called by Jesus? Peter. Mark 1:16-17. Who was the first to state Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah? Peter. Mark 8:29. Who was the first to openly deny knowing Jesus? Peter.

Swept up under the horrible circumstances surrounding Peter, one can understand why he collapsed from the weight of his words. He wept. Not just a few tears. He wept.

And even then, does the story end here? No.

Through his tears, Peter turned to God for forgiveness and mercy. Peter mourned his weakness. He wanted to be strong; to become the man who Jesus knew he could be.

In 2 Kings 20:4-5, the great prophet Isaiah heard these words coming from God, 'Turn back and say to Hezekiah prince of my people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of your ancestor David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; indeed, I will heal you;...."'

Because "I have heard your prayer," because "I have seen your tears," you will be healed.

That is a beautiful message of forgiveness, of grace, of mercy, of healing, of hope.

In this moment of utter despair, Peter's life changed forever. He would never be the same. If this story of Peter's denial ended with him in a heap of cowardice and shame, what would've happened to Jesus' message of Good News? Most likely this Gospel account would've never been written. Mark, the author, eventually followed Peter who gained fortitude and shared his witness to the masses. Mark, who was in the Garden of Gethsemane and fled as well, became inspired by Peter's courage and his wherewithal to grow from this experience.

Like the Cowardly Lion at the end of "The Wizard of Oz," Peter is no longer filled with fear. His story of shame ultimately becomes one known for his courage.

We aren't called to be perfect, and we won't be perfect even when answering that call. At times, we will be weak when we want to be strong. However with a humbled heart, we will eventually grow into who God wants us to be.

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It's all about Pilate