let love compel faithfulness - mark 14:53-72

A Bitter Failure... As Jesus stood alone on trial, faithfully declaring who He is: Peter watched from a safe distance denying that he even knew Him.

Why did Peter Fail? Peter did not yet understand the mission of Jesus. All throughout Mark's gospel, he has resisted the cross and been unable to foresee how Christ's greatest act of love would be shown in His sufferings. Therefore, in a moment of frustrated confusion, Peter finds himself denying his Lord.

What can we learn? We too, like Peter, are able to deny Jesus in many ways. Therefore, it is very important that we clearly understand the radical mission of love shown at the cross and that we allow this love to motivate our faithfulness.

*Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. Why might Peter's confusion about Jesus' mission have led him to deny Christ?

2. How have you been guilty of denying Christ? Did you respond to this failure like Peter?

3. What is an example from your own life of a time when thinking about the love of Christ helped you be faithful to Him?