Did the Courtyard Flames Engulf You?

“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.”

–Mark 14: 27-30

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Peter denies Christ...

“And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

– Mark 14: 67-72

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Did the Courtyard Flames Engulf You?

Was there early morning mourning

When you heard the rooster crow?

Did denial dawn upon you?

Peter, how did Jesus know?

Did the servant girl upset you?

Did you cry aloud in shame?

Did she play the part of Nathan?

Did she call you out by name?

Did you stand among the mockers?

Was your faith put to the test?

Did you fall away from Jesus?

Did you scatter like the rest?

Were you, Peter, “poor in spirit”?

Was your heart and soul laid bare?

Did the courtyard flames engulf you?

Were you devastated there?

Did your prideful flesh betray you?

Did you, Simon, lose The Way?

Did you follow “at a distance”1

At that fateful break of day?

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Would Amazing Grace yet find you?

Would you walk with Him once more?

Would his Mercy bring you comfort

On that Galilean shore?2

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But now, Jesus….(Silent Shepherd).

But now, Jesus….(Sees us weep).

Jesus heals the broken-hearted

Yes, The Lamb still feeds His sheep.

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1 “And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.”- Mark 14:54

2 John 21: 4-7

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