Mark 14:53-72
Dear RTB’ers,
The rooster crowing after Peter’s denial and tomorrow’s first verse, And as soon as it was morning… (v. 15:1a) both inform us of these middle-of-the-night activities by the Council. Sad that they did all this under the cover of darkness.
Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 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.” (vv. 61b-62) I don’t know anywhere else in the gospels where Jesus proclaims His Messiahship so publicly and so directly. There are other occasions at Jesus’ trial and in John’s gospel where Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah (especially the Samaritan woman at the well), but nowhere else does He so boldly proclaim, “I am…”
I grieve for Peter every time I read the actual words of his denial. Later we see him running to the tomb after the women had informed the apostles of their tomb encounter with the “two men”: …but these words seemed to them [the apostles] an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb… (Luke 24:11-12a) I’ve always imagined that it was Peter’s denial and his grief all day Saturday that had him up and running to the tomb. He wanted to see Jesus and ask His forgiveness. I’m wondering if “running to the tomb” might be a good metaphor for my own repentance, the suggestion being deep remorse for wrongs done. But I daresay that I don’t do much “running”, more like taking an idle stroll. Sad.
Blessings!
See also: