Scripture: An immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny my three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72
Observation: Once more I am very grateful for this verse – and for Mark 16:7. Here is Peter the head boy, the lead disciple, the one who declared he would never abandon Jesus, the one who declared he would fight for Jesus. This Peter denies Christ 3 times. Not once. Not twice. Three times! The rooster’s 2nd crow causes Peter’s heart to stop and in that moment – no doubt with him feeling like the universe was about to swallow him up as he stood alone with his words ringing in his ears along with the rooster’s crow – he was broken. The awful significance of what he had just done fell on him and broke him – maybe even crushed him. He’d moved from head boy to no one. He’d moved from inner circle to the very outer. He knew Christ so well, had denied him. An awful moment in the life of Peter.
What of his future? Where do you go from here? Where does Peter go? Thankfully this is not the end of the story. Post resurrection, Jesus tells Mary to tell Peter, in particular, to meet him in Galilee – the place where it all began. Jesus calls Peter to a new start – it’s a word of hope not only for Peter, but for me – and all who have sinned with 
such repetitiveness you wonder if ever there will be a future again.
Application: Return to Christ. Seek forgiveness and be grateful. Christ’s mercy is far greater than I can exhaust.
Prayer: LORD Jesus, thank you for remaining true to yourself – the merciful God who is more ready to forgive than we are to pray. Forgive me my sin. Cleanse me and I will be clean. Take not your Holy Spirit from me. Rather renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Thank you for reaching out.