A familiar story but it’s great to revisit this because of the amazing message of hope it brings. Marks Gospel was written by Mark after interviewing personally the people whom were involved at the time. He wrote this account based exactly on those interviews (although it seems he got some of the events in the wrong order) and so this particular episode came from the mouth of Peter himself.
This is interesting because at the time which Mark was writing his Gospel Peter was the head of the Church. A very important person greatly respected and looked up to. So why would Peter want this; possibly his darkest, lowest moment, to became histories permanent record?
I think Peter wanted to show that even he; the leader, the head of the church had moments where he turned his back on everything he knew to be true because of fear and lack of faith. And yet God could use him; as dark and low as that moment of the denial was to do something quite amazing in this world.
Placing this story along side the touching moments when the resurrected Jesus reinstates Peter by asking him to affirm his love 3 times (John 21: 15-18), we see a great redemption story. One from which we can all take hope.
Because of the power of what Christ did for us at Easter there is nothing that we can do to separate us from his love and grace. We are never beyond His reach so long as we return to him and say sorry.
This Easter, let us not forget what it’s all about. Jesus died, and was resurrected to life for you.
Although make sure you enjoy the chocolate too. *smile*
