Today we look at the story of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus, a classic example of “mission drift” in the Bible. Jesus had called Peter to make disciples, but now his commitment was in question. Peter, as with the other disciples, is brimming with confidence that his faith will not fail. But then it does, in shocking fashion. So that’s the famous story, but today we’re putting the story in the context of a broader question:
- Have you ever experienced mission drift?
- Examples in marriage, in the workforce
- Marriage vows: Groom, do you take Bride to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, and forsaking all others remain loyal to her as long as you both shall live? If so, say “I do”.
- Kodak: Founded in the late 19th century, Kodak was a pioneer in the photography industry with the mission of making photography accessible to the masses (“You press the button, we do the rest.”) However, as digital photography began to emerge in the late 20th century, Kodak struggled to adapt and continued to prioritize its traditional film business. In 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy, a stark reminder of the consequences of mission drift and the failure to adapt to changing market dynamics.
- What it looks like in Christianity: (Go make disciples…)
- Matthew 28:19 (NLT) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- So many churches just miss this. So many Christians never get it.
Before we get to our text today in ch 14, we need to set the stage by going all the way back to chapter 1, when Jesus first called his disciples. Pay attention to where this all happens, because it’s going to come up again in ch 14:
Mark 1:16-18 (NLT) One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Talk about mission of Jesus, they left their nets, spent 3 years with Jesus
- Amazing faith! What sacrifice!
- Their expectation – this is going to be good. We’ll be famous! Rich!?
Now let’s get to our text today from Mark 14.
Last week we covered the Last Supper, and Jesus’ identification of the one who would betray him. Luke adds context in his account: Luke 22:24 (NLT) Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.
- Can you imagine? Hilarious!
- In the Luke account Jesus goes on to define greatness: (NLT) Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
So let’s stitch this together the timeline:
- Jesus said “one of you will desert me”
- They all wondered, “Am I the one?” (last week’s episode)
- Somehow that turned into an argument about who would be the greatest among them!?
- And the very next “scene” in Mark’s gospel says this
Mark 14:27-28 (NLT) On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”
A couple of things here:
First, notice that Jesus says “All of you will desert me.” – Right after “all” of them drank the cup!? Right after they argued about who would be the greatest.
- He knew they would fail to stay on mission (it was prophesied!)
- Yet he believed in them, he knew their journey wasn’t over
- He would meet them where it all started, where he first called them.
This was Galilee – Mission Central
- It’s where Jesus first called his disciples
- Remember the verse we started with today?
- It’s where Jesus will meet them after his resurrection to restore them
- not in Jerusalem – because this message was for the whole world, not just Jews
- Fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-3) about “enlarging Israel” – and eventually including Gentiles (see the unfolding of this in Acts).
So let’s sum up: Jesus says they will ALL desert him. But he’s not phased by that fact – it was prophesied! He’ll stay on mission, and he knows eventually they will, too.
- So Jesus doesn’t panic when our faith falters. (Say it again.)
- But here’s the thing: Peter didn’t think his faith would fail! Back to the text:
Mark 14:29,31 (NLT) Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”
… And all the others vowed the same.
Peter throws everyone else under the bus! Yet he is confident in his faith. Peter’s not the only one with confidence. They all vowed to stay faithful. (Note: Judas wasn’t there at this point? See John 12.)
Mark 14:30-31 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”
Peter learned what most believers have experienced: It’s one thing to be bold when you’re surrounded by believers. It’s another thing to stay on mission when the world is against you.
Mark 14:66-68 (NLT) Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”
But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
Mark 14:69-70 (NLT) When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”
There it is again. What a reminder for Peter – that’s where he first met Jesus. That’s where he left his net to “fish for people” and join Jesus on his mission, just 3 short years earlier. And now, probably not 3 hours after he vowed to never betray Jesus, he denies him for the third time:
Mark 14:71-72 (NLT) Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Nugget: Peter doesn’t even say his name! Just “this guy”. Shameful!
(Pillar New Testament Commentary) The third accusation is the boldest, and so is Peter’s denial. The Greek is coarse and explicit, “He began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know this man you speak of'” (v. 71).
Back to the question:
- Have you ever experienced mission drift?
Luke 22:31-32 (NLT) “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Church tradition dictates that Peter, along with all of the other disciples besides John, did ultimately die for Jesus, but the journey was not without blemish. The sacrifice of Jesus comes to you when you repent, no matter what you have done before that moment. Jesus’ mission remained the same, to save those who needed saving, no matter how deep they dug the hole.
Jesus’ reunion with the disciples in Galilee was just as assured as their denial after Gethsemane. Staying on mission is less about the quality of our faith and more about the power of God’s grace.
