A Tale of Two Rocks

Can you think back to a time where you saw a strong person you knew crying? It can be a little unsettling. My father was in the great generation, serving in World War II, never really talking much about it, and not often showing his softer emotions. We saw strength, determination, and sometimes anger, but few tears or worry. It was probably after the arrival of grandchildren that I can remember Pop crying more often - even if they were tears of joy. When we told him our first born was named Joseph after him, there were definitely tears - and then I cried too. Pop’s tears stood out all the more because they were so uncommon, because he was so strong.

In today’s sermon from the Gospel of Mark, we will see the strongest of the disciples, the one the others looked to, the one quickest to speak out, and the first out of the boat - Simon who was renamed Peter, the Rock, broken to tears.

Series

We are returning to our series The Crown & The Cross. Mark has shown us Jesus as a man with a clear message and mission, and the reader is called to actively response to the message. Jesus’ life on earth helped us all better understand God’s heart and what His kingdom is like.

In the first half of Mark the emphasis was on seeing Jesus revealed as Messiah - the King who deserved the crown. The second half’s focus is on Jesus in Jerusalem fulfilling His life’s mission to suffer and die on the cross - and to rise from the dead.

The last time we were in Mark it was the week before Thanksgiving, Jesus prayed in the garden and the disciples faced temptation yet all promised to stay by his side, but they all abandoned him. Every last one. Peter was the most vocal in pledging his dying allegiance - but Jesus warned Peter he would deny Jesus three times before morning came with the rooster’s third crow.

Our parallel passages are in Matthew 26, Luke 22, and John 18. You can find notes and watch the rest of this series on our website or YouTube page.

As I read this passage, notice the descriptions of two trials, two men, and two very different outcomes.

Mark relates this narrative with Peter’s denial after Jesus’ hearing to show the clear contrast between their reactions. Both were under pressure, Jesus did not defend himself, Peter swears none of it is true, Peter escapes but crumbles and loses his integrity, Jesus stands firm and goes to his death without caving in.

PRAY

READ Mark 14:53-72

Jesus before the Council

When we were last in Mark 14, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, had betrayed Jesus in the Garden, where he was arrested by the Jewish religious leaders. And they brought along a small army as if Jesus was going to fight back.

The Sanhedrin - a group of seventy chief priests, scribes, and elders gathered together with the high priest to put Jesus on trial. V. 55 tells us they already determined the outcome - they wanted to put him to death. How’s that for a fair trial: judged guilty even before the trial.

Matthew 26:57 tells us they led Jesus to Caiphas, the high priest.

The religious leaders arrested Jesus under the cover of darkness in a garden with no crowds around. They rushed to a hearing at night which was illegal. They were not allowed to have a serious trial during a festival like Passover, their witnesses were unreliable.

False accusations

v. 56 tells us they couldn’t find any clear testimony that would condemn Jesus. In fact those that did provide false testimony or lies couldn’t even agree with each other.

The worst thing they could come up with was saying Jesus claimed he would destroy the temple and build another in three days. But even this they couldn’t agree. Jesus did not actually say he would destroy the temple. They misquoted him. He said “destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up.” He was referring to his death and resurrection.

The Greek word “μαρτυρία (martyria) - means testimony or witness. This is the root of our word martyr which is someone who is killed because of their faith.

Jesus' response

Jesus remained silent in the face of these ridiculous accusations. He didn’t correct them or defend himself. This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7, where it says he was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open this mouth - just like a lamb led to the slaughter.

One of God’s character traits is “just.” And as image bearers, He created us with that same desire for justice. Can you remember getting in trouble for something you didn’t do? How much that bothered you? Or seeing someone else wrongly accused and punished? That really riles us up doesn’t it? Jesus stood silent while lies were told about him. And worse yet, the people around him were totally fine with making up more false stories – maybe they were paid to do it, but it goes against our nature for justice.

Out of desperation to find something they can charge Jesus with in v. 61, the high priest challenges Jesus with the ultimate accusation: Are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? He was asking are the promised Messiah? Are you the Son of God? Out of extreme reverence the Jews would not say or even right the name of God.

v. 62 Jesus finally responds “I am.” This is the very name of God from Exodus 3:14. When Moses asked the burning bush who should I say sent me, God responded “I am.” Jesus clearly put himself in a place of equality with God.

Jesus went a step further saying “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power (another name for God) and coming with the clouds of heaven. This is another OT prophecy fulfillment - Dan 7:13 says “I saw in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. Jesus was not only claiming to be God, but he made it clear that his messianic rule was spiritual and not earthly. He would be reigning in authority at the right hand of the father. The high priest and this Sanhedrin council would all bow their knees to Jesus and be judged ultimately by him.

Caiaphas tore his robe as a sign of extreme grief. In his eyes, Jesus had just committed blasphemy by calling himself God. This was a sin punishable by death.

Jesus condemned to death

V. 64 The high priest says “You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? They all condemned him as deserving death. Some spit on his, covering his face, striking him and mockingly called for him to prophesy who had just hit him. The guards beat him. This fulfills more of Isaiah’s prophesies about the messiah being beaten and whipped for our sins.

Jesus stood firm through all of this, taking on all of this injustice, these false accusations, just as he would soon die on the cross for our sin - innocent of any sin himself.

Peter watching from a distance

John’s gospel ch 18:15 tells us that Peter was not alone; another disciple possible John himself was there too. They were able to watch from a distance, but likely could not here all that was going on. Peter pledged to stay with Jesus, even to death and he was trying to keep that promise. It was the middle of the night. It was dark and they were in the outer court of the high priest’s home. There were probably soldiers with torches and grates with fire to warm people.

True accusations

Peter is accused three times over the course of the evening. First, one of the high priests’s servant girls sees him warming himself by a fire and she said “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”

Next the servant girl followed him to the gateway or courtyard and started telling other people “This man is one of them.”

Finally, another bystander recognized him and said “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

Unlike the accusations against Jesus which were all false, these were true. Different people even agreed about Peter’s identity, where no to testimonies against Jesus could back each other’s up.

Peter's response

The first accusation he denied saying “I don’t know or understand what you mean.” He pleaded total ignorance.

The second time he denied again.

And the third time, he invoked a curse and swore “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” He said something like “may God strike me dead if I’m lying.” He wouldn’t even use Jesus’ name.

The second and third times he denied Jesus a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered that Jesus’ had said “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

Peter, the strongest and most outspoken of the disciples, broken down and wept. When faced with true statements about who he was as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, Peter was afraid, lied about himself and denied Jesus.

Summary

After the Passover meal, Jesus knew the difficult road that lay ahead of himself and his disciples. That is why he spent hours in prayer in the garden. He poured out his heart to God his Father and he submitted to the Father’s will no matter what. He also told Peter, James, and John to watch and pray as well so that they would not give in to temptation. The disciples fell asleep three times just as Peter failed Jesus these three times.

We saw Jesus the sold rock. He relied completely on the Father. He didn’t speak when unreliable testimonies and false charges were brought against him. He only answered when the high priest asked the right question “Are the the messiah, the Son of God?” And then Jesus gave a clear testimony that he was the Son of God and the rightful Messiah. Jesus stood firm.

Sadly we also saw Peter as a crumbling rock. The servant girl and several other people all claimed to see Peter with Jesus. Unlike Jesus’ accusers, their testimonies were ultimately true and they all agreed. He was relying on his own courage and afraid to die. He denied being a disciple. He denied even knowing Jesus. And he failed to even name Jesus the Lord. Peter swore that all of these true statements were lies. And when heard the rooster crow he realized he had failed the test of discipleship. He broke down and cried.

Thankfully, Peter’s story doesn’t end there with defeat. He confessed his sin and pledged to follow Jesus faithfully. He preached the powerful Gospel to the newly gathered church in Acts 1 and Christian tradition says that Peter was crucified for his testimony of Jesus in Rome during the brutal persecutions of emperor Nero.

Hudson Taylor - "God chose me because I was weak enough. He trains somebody to be quiet enough, and little enough, and then uses him."

The Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 12:9-10 said, “For the sake of Christ I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jan read 2 Cor 4 for us before the message. Paul describes believers as fragile jars of clay with the greatest treasure of God’s grace inside us so that we can show that the power and glory belong to God not us.

Take Aways

Jesus is the Son of God, and even though perfectly innocent, He was willing to be falsely accused and die for us. His followers should be ready to do the same for His name.

Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? The Son of God was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross to die in your place. He paid for our sins because he was sinless. And he came back to life after three days to offer you eternal life and peace with God. Come to talk to me.

Most of us will not become martyrs for our faith in Jesus. But are you willing to endure ridicule when someone laughs at our beliefs?

Are you willing to ignore false personal attacks for the sake of Jesus?

Will you show his mercy and grace to those who don’t deserve it? Will you give only your best to your family, your spouse, your co-workers because God gave his best for you?

Will you give a true testimony of who Jesus is and how he has changed your life when given the opportunity?

Benediction

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.