Today’s reading

Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:51-72

Selected verses

If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth. Deuteronomy 23:21-23

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72

Reflections

The Mosaic Law held the Israelites up to high and noble standards of integrity and social concern. There were numerous laws protecting the needy from exploitation by the wealthy. Here we see a law concerning the making and keeping of vows. Vows were made freely, before God, but once made they had to be kept. People were not to swear casually, but to take seriously their commitments. No cheap talk. A man’s word was his bond.

Peter broke his vow to Jesus, to stand by Him even if it cost him his life. He shamelessly denied the Lord. Peter was not the only one, but Mark gives us a close up of Peter’s cowardice and remorse. The grief Peter felt when he heard the rooster and remembered Jesus’ words is palpable.

Think about it

Certainly we see the breakdown of vow keeping in our society. We can't trust each other. It's easy to break commitments. We are quick to file suits but slow to keep promises. Married couples divorce as if no binding vow had been made.

Who of us has not broken a solemn vow of some kind? Who of us cannot identify with Peter’s rash vow and thoughtless lying to save his skin? Peter could not keep his vow, not even for one night. He needed an innocent Lamb to die for his sin, the broken vow and a million other transgressions. So do we. Jesus did that on the cross.

Do not get stuck in endless remorse and weeping. Trust Christ, who bore our sins in His body on the cross. In Him we become forgiven vow-breakers. We even become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission