Rooster Crows!

Mark 14:66-68

"66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew."

The center of "sin" and the center of "pride" is "I."

We are ALL guilty of PRIDE. 

PRIDE tempts us to be self-sufficient rather than trusting God. PRIDE lets us have a high opinion of our own dignity, importance, merit, strength and superiority. Especially for those of us that have something to be PROUD of, like Peter. 

When Jesus tried to prepare His Disciples for the night of terror after Judas betrayed Him; Peter said "NOT ME!" Peter proclaimed that he would stand up to the authorities and never leave Jesus's side. Peter is the Rock! He is the foundation that the church will be built upon! Peter is the strongest!! Peter is the BEST!!! And, the strength of Peter's conviction even inspired his fellow Disciples; "Likewise also SAID THEY ALL." They have come through a lot together. Feeding the multitude. Healing the sick. Calming the storm. Raising the dead. Nothing is going to tear them apart! They are Jesus followers and they are PROUD. 

Only when the moment of truth came, things unfolded just the way Jesus described. They all lost confidence and hope. They FLED the scene in all directions. Fearing the worst; that they too will be arrested and subjected to the punishment, pain and possibly death at the hands of the authorities. They are hiding. 

PROUD Peter is lurking in the shadows of the night. Inching his way to the palace where the religious leaders have taken Jesus. "...there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And THOU also wast WITH JESUS of Nazareth." Surely Peter's heart is racing, he has to try to control his breath and not look to nervous. He knows he is about to be arrested and brutally taken into custody by the temple guards or worse yet The Romans! 

"But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the COCK CREW." What can Peter do? He is all alone behind enemy lines. He has to come up with a plan. He has to do something! But, what can he do? He's just one man!! If they find him here and now; they will KILL him!!!