66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.””

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-73

We want so much for the story to be different. We want Peter to boldly proclaim the Savior to any and all listeners, not after Jesus ascended to heaven but now, while Jesus is being ridiculed.

But we know the story all too well. We know that despite his positive Pollyanna attitude he would deny Jesus three times just as Jesus said he would. Terrified and confused, Peter denied Christ.

That’s also a story we know too well personally, for who among us has not denied Christ with our silence or our sinful actions? I daresay we all have.

Just as the Savior forgave Peter after He rose from the dead, so too Jesus forgives us for our denials and attitudes and actions.

I find more and more that we need the Savior every day, for without Him, we really are a mess.