Final thoughts on Mark 14:72
A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept. NKJV
It may well be that as long as Peter lived, his tears began to flow whenever he remembered his denying his Lord. His sin was very bitter, and God’s grace in him had afterwards a perfect work. Peter’s experience is common to all Christians according to the degree in which the Spirit of God has removed the natural heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promise, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not.” (Mark 14:29) We eat our own words—with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been—we may weep rivers of grief.
The crowing of the rooster for the second time brought Peter’s denial of his Lord to his full attention. He thought on his cowardliness which led him into such heinous sin, the oaths and blasphemies with which he sought to confirm his falsehood, and the dreadful hardness of heart which drove him to do so three times.
Do we, when we are reminded of our sins, and their exceeding sinfulness, remain stubborn and in denial? Will we not repent, and cry unto the Lord for renewed assurances of pardoning love and the joy of His salvation? May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest before long our consciences are seared black and our Christian testimonies are wrecked. Peter also thought upon his Master’s look of love (Luke 22:61).
The Lord followed up the rooster’s warning voice with an admonitory look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was never out of Peter’s mind so long as he lived. It was far more effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit. The penitent apostle would be sure to weep—when he recollected the Savior’s full forgiveness, which restored him to his former place. To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord—is more than sufficient reason for being constant weepers. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow! Charles H. Spurgeon
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 