Two Rocks Between Hard Places-Mark 14:53-72

Last Sunday morning, we watched as Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. A kiss that was supposed to be a sign of great devotion and love, instead became the tool of the betrayer. We watched as Jesus, Who could have destroyed every enemy He faced that night with nothing more that the Word’s from His mouth, yielded Himself to the hands of the enemy, to accomplish the will of the Sovereign Father.

In this morning's passage, we move forward that same night to the courtyard of the high priest. Once again, we will see the failure of a disciple. But this account doesn’t end with failure, but with great redemption. With that as an introduction, would you please stand, in honor of the reading of God’s Word?

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Mark 14:53–65 ESV

53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.

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.

May the Lord add His blessing to the reading of His Word, please be seated.

For one last time in our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we see, what I believe is, another Markan sandwich. As has been mentioned previously, a Markan sandwich takes place when Mark places one prominent theme in the middle of another theme. As has been the case in the past, it is the middle theme that is most important, where the overall emphasis should be placed. But this morning, we will only look at the 2 outside pieces of bread, and next week we will look at the middle portion, the meat of the sandwich.

But in the verses we just looked at, we looked at 2 different rocks, both faced with an insurmountable hard place, hard places that would devastate virtually anyone listening this morning, or, quite frankly, anyone speaking this morning. The rock we will look at this morning is the: Next Slide

The Rock That Crumbled. Vs. 53-54, 66-72; Mt. 26:57-58, 69-75; Lk. 22:54-62; Jn. 18:15-18, 25-27

If you have spent much time in church settings, you know that early on in Jesus public ministry, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means Petros, or rock. Oftentimes in the church, we have a tendency to dwell on the failures of Simon Peter. It could be, that part of what is at play, is that we ourselves fail so many times that we have, sort of an affinity with Peter. He is real to us, a flawed human, we can relate to him. But I want us to notice something very redeeming in the character of Peter, on a night where his redeeming character was as hard to identify as a needle in a haystack.

I cannot imagine that Peter had ever been faced with a tougher challenge that what took place that night. He had been reprimanded by Jesus multiple times that night, the last time right after he cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest.

But you know what he hadn’t done yet?

He hadn’t denied Jesus!

There is little doubt in my mind, that in Peter’s eye’s, there was still hope that he could prove Jesus wrong, that he would stand strong, even in the face of his own death. And I don’t know that this desire was because he wanted to prove Jesus wrong. There is a part of me that wants to believe that his desire was to prove himself worthy, worthy of this One Who had so loved him so deeply, despite his many flaws.

So that night, when everyone else scattered, we find out in John 18:15-16, that he and John, also may have scattered, but they didn’t disappear completely. They followed from a distance. Wanting to see where Jesus was being led. Please don’t miss that, while everyone else scattered in the wind, only Peter and John followed.

Soon, as they followed, they crossed the Kidron Brook, very near where they had crossed it early that night, looking down, they once again noticed the blood stained rocks from the passover lambs that were a part of the sacrifice. As they were walking, Peter had to have been thinking to himself, “I have blown it so many times tonight, I cannot imagine ever experiencing God’s forgiveness for what I have done, but I haven’t denied Him yet! I still have hope.”

So, he and John follow the crowd. Their first destination was the home of Annas. Annas was no longer the high priest, but truthfully, he held all the power. By name, he may not have been the high priest, but at his word, the high priest acted. After a short time there, they then followed the crowd to the courtyard of Caiaphas, who was now the high priest. Evidently James and John came from a wealthy family and had connections with the high priest, because we find out in the Gospel of John that when they got to Caiaphas palace, John was welcomed into the courtyard, while Peter had to stand outside, until John went to bat for him. That is when Peter made it into the courtyard.

As was often the case, the chilly middle eastern night sky created a need for a small fire to be kindled for those in the courtyard to warm themselves. Peter quietly made his way to the fire. He found an empty spot nearby where he could sit. He was careful to not make eye contact with anyone. While he tried hard to keep his eyes and face down, he couldn’t help notice one of the servant girls staring at him intently. Then he did it, against his better judgement, he looked up and their eyes locked. It was almost like he could see a light go on in her eyes. Pointing at him, she said; “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”

And then it happened...

“I neither know nor understand what you are saying...”

Came the words from Peter’s mouth. No sooner did he say the words than his heart sunk. Oh how he wished he could take those words back, but it was to late. But another thought popped into his mind. Jesus said, I would deny him 3 times before the rooster crowed twice......there’s still hope.

Quickly he rose to his feet and made his way out to the gateway, hoping to distance himself from the crowd. He sighed a deep sigh of shame, but also of relief as he walked away.

Then he heard it....

He heard the rooster crow. Tears welled up in his eyes.

You know, our Savior is always attune to our struggles, to the trials we are faced with, I wonder....could it be that as Jesus heard that same rooster crow.....could it be that he thought to Himself.... “Simon.......oh Simon....watch and pray, the spirit is willing.....that is why you followed Me into the courtyard, but the flesh is weak.....Simon, Simon, watch and pray.”

Moments later, another servant girl began to stare intently at him. Then, after staring for a short time; “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth!” And again, Peter denied it, this time swearing an oath.

An hour passed.....it seemed like an eternity, but it was just an hour. There was just no way to avoid the crowd, and by now there was a pretty large crowd mulling about in the courtyard. In a matter of moments, 3 separate individuals approached him, all with the same basic accusation; “Surely you were with Jesus. You look and sound like a Galilean!” Then one who was a relative of Malchus, the one who’s ear Peter cut off earlier that night, added; “Didn’t I see you in the Garden?”

It appears that right about that time, the door opened above the steps in the courtyard, and as it opened, not realizing what was taking place above him, Peter angrily and fearfully blurts out with both a curse and an oath; “Man, I do not know what you are saying! I do not know this Man!”

Then there was a moment of silence, broken by the second crow from the rooster, and as the rooster crowed, Peter looked up and saw Jesus. We find out from the original language that their eyes locked.

I wonder.....what did Peter see in Jesus’ eyes? Did he see anger?

“Simon.....I told you....watch and pray, WATCH AND PRAY! You ignored My words and look where it got you!”

Or could he have seen sadness in the eyes of Jesus?

“Simon.....I wanted you to be there for Me! Always....ALWAYS I was there for you and here was the one time I wanted you to be there for Me and you blew it!”

Actually, I don’t think it was either of those emotions flowing through the eyes of Jesus. I believe that Peter saw the same thing every leper Jesus ever cleansed saw. The same thing that Jairus and his wife saw in Jesus eyes, when He stood over the lifeless body of their daughter, took her by the hand and lifted her up, new life coursing through her veins. Peter saw what everyone saw, who had experienced the miraculous touch of the Master’s Hand, I believe Peter saw compassion.

But don’t take my word for it, let me give you some evidence. Turn just a couple pages forward in your copies of God’s Word, to Mark 16:7. As you flip the pages, let me fill in the blanks on what is taking place here. 4 days have come and gone since Peter’s denial of Jesus, and ever since that rooster crowed the second time, Peter had been in the depths of dispair. Nothing seemed to shake it. Now, here was are Sunday morning. A few women made their way to the tomb where Jesus was laid, hoping they could better prepare His body for it’s final resting place. Only when they get there, they see the stoned rolled away, stepping into the tomb, they see an empty slab, where once laid the body of Jesus, and an angel sitting to their right. The angel spoke to them; “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” Then we get to verse 7, what do we see in verse 7?

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Mark 16:7 ESV

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

No, Peter didn’t see anger in the eyes of Jesus, He didn’t see sadness. Jesus knew too well the sovereignty of God. He knew that this was all a part of the perfect plan of God. When Peter looked into the eyes of Jesus, compassion flowed as freely as His cleansing blood would soon flow.

“But go, tell His disciples.......and Peter...”

You know, He does the same for us. His compassion and grace is so frequently lavished on us, and at no point are we ever worthy of it, yet still it comes. And yes, their may be times He looks on us with disappointment, maybe even anger at times, but more often than not, His eyes of grace look on us with compassion, and He challenges us through the pages of THIS His Word...... “Child of Mine, watch and pray. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is week.”

This was, by far, the most difficult night Simon Peter had ever faced. But God was not finished with him yet. Next Slide

The Solid Rock, Transforms The Crumbled Rock. Jn. 21:1-19

Flip forward in your copies of God’s Word about 110 pages to John 21. While you are turning, let me paint a picture for you of what is taking place. By now Jesus had already risen from the dead. Well, approximately 2 weeks after Peter’s denial of Jesus, maybe a little more. We find Simon Peter and 6 other disciples, impatiently waiting for Jesus to meet them in Galilee. Finally, the impulsive Simon Peter tells the others; “I am going fishing!” Well honestly, he’s pretty much their leader now, so they naturally joined him. I’d imagine it felt pretty good. Climbing aboard the boat again. Loading the nets, pushing out from the shoreline and rowing out in the the familiar Sea of Galilee. They knew the waters there like the back of their hands. They all still remembered their favorite spots to fish. Before long they found the perfect spot. With the expertise only known by a professional fisherman, Simon cast his net out into the sea. Had one of us been Simon, we’d probably have thought; “Man that felt good. Oh how I have missed fishing!” But cast after cast, and favorite fishing spot after favorite fishing spot, the results were always the same. Nothing more than seaweed and drift wood. All night long they fished, and all night long they got the same results. Nothing, not so much as a single fish. Finally, and very frustrated, they rowed to the familiar shoreline. As they got closer to the shore, they saw someone standing there, someone Who at the time they did not recognize, but it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them; “Children”. Now maybe some of you right now are thinking, “Children”? Did Jesus just call them children? And yes He did. What is taking place here is a mild rebuke from Jesus. Do you remember the call He had placed on these men some 3 1/2 years earlier? He basically called them to leave their old professions behind, and in turn become fishers of men! To trust Him to take care of their every need. But on this night, their faith evidently waned, they no longer believed Jesus would be, to them, their Jehovah Jireh, The LORD their provider. Jesus continues; “Children, do you have any fish?” They had no choice but to admit to Him that their attempt to provide for themselves had fallen woefully short. “No” came their answer.

“Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

Perhaps at that moment Simon’s mind traveled back to 3 1/2 years earlier, when another stranger gave the same command, I don’t know for sure, but they obeyed. Moments later, 153 large fish filled the net. Honestly, there were so many large fish the net should have been torn in two, but somehow it held them all. Well the moment Simon found out it was Jesus, he threw himself into the sea and swam ashore, and a few moments later, He stood face to face with Jesus, Jesus, the One Who had always been to Him a Solid Rock.

John goes on to tell us; “15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Now, we will not go into this passage in much detail this morning, but I do want to point out what it is we are seeing here. Simon, the one who Jesus called Peter, the rock, had crumbled that night in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest. And what we are watching in these verses is Jesus, picking up the crumbled pieces of Simon Peter, piece by broken piece, and putting him back together as only the God of creation can. We are watching Christ, the Solid Rock, transforming this crumbled rock, into a rock that would now stand, even in the face of death. I am particularly moved by the last two words Jesus spoke to Peter that morning. We see them at the end of John 21:19. What do we see Jesus saying? (“Follow Me.”)

That’s right, Jesus says to Peter, “Follow Me”. But there is more to those two words that meets the eye. Jesus is saying to Peter, “Peter, I know what you did that night in the courtyard. But I am not done with you. I have forgiven that completely, cast it away as far as the east is from the west. What I want you to do now, is exactly what I challenged you to do 3 1/2 years ago. Stop everything else you are doing and Follow Me!”

You know, at the very outset this morning I noted that, I believe, that one of the things we love most about Peter is how much he is like us. So flawed, oftentimes speaking first and thinking later. But the way I see it, as we look at the life of Peter, something else, far greater than our similarities with him, should encourage our hearts. Not the failures of Peter, but the forgiveness Jesus lavishes on Him. Jesus could have easily been finished with Peter that night. He had every right to, but once again, He forgave him. And He does the same thing for us. Every time we come to Him with a repentant heart, Jesus lavishes on us His forgiveness. And says to us what He said to Peter that day, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. “Follow Me!”

Let’s close our time this morning in Prayer.

“Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning as seriously flawed individuals. Over and over again we follow in the footsteps of Simon Peter. In word and action we turn our backs on You. But You never turn Your back on us. You are faithful and true. You lavish us with Your compassion. You come to us as our redeemer, our faithful and true redeemer. Your mercy is made new every morning. Oh how Great is Your faithfulness. O Father I pray, that we would never again turn our backs on You, but that we would, instead, turn our backs on all else, and Follow You completely. I pray this in the Name of our Solid Rock, in the Name of Jesus. Amen”

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