During conference I heard the story of Peter's denial of Christ in one of the talks. It brought back to my mind that I'm not sure that I truly understand and that there may be more that one interpretation of the story.
In Mark 14:27,29-30 it states, "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, in in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice."
I often have heard the story painting Peter as a coward. What if Jesus was commanding them to deny him to preserve the leadership in his church so that his sheep would not be scattered.
Remember Peter was the one who ventured out onto the turbulent sea to walk on water. He was the one who took a soldier's sword and smote off the soldier's ear. He was to become the president of the Church of Jesus Christ after Christ's departure. So what if Jesus was commanding him to deny him and then giving him a time frame by which to follow. There is a part of me that feels that he was not afraid of death and that he would have done anything for his friend and Savior. Was he weeping afterwards because he was ashamed or because he wanted stand up with Jesus?
Just a thought.
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