The Things of Crowds & Individuals and the Fervor that Stokes Their Fear

1st Century Jerusalem, 21st Century USA, same old same old

There are deeply human elements at both group and individual levels in this passage. Lent wasn’t all that long ago, so we’ve read these details fairly recently. So let’s just note for today these two pictures of the capacity of humanity.

This passage offers a sobering glimpse into the frailty of human nature — both in the crowd and in Peter. It’s a deeply human scene, revealing how easily we bend under pressure, how quickly we abandon truth when the moment demands courage.

First, the crowd. The case against Jesus is paper-thin. Witnesses contradict each other. Nothing sticks. And yet, through the manipulations of someone with power (here, religious leaders), a verdict is reached: he deserves to die. And the crowd agrees in fervor. We see here the terrifying power of collective momentum — how crowds, swayed by authority and emotion, can override truth. It doesn’t take much: just a few voices, a little fear, and the perceived safety of going along with the majority.

Then there’s Peter — not in the center of the action, but close enough to feel the heat. His denial is raw and without hesitation, at least on the surface. He doesn’t slip up or deflect. He outright lies. And on cue, a rooster cries out — a creature of routine and rhythm, now a divine interruption. A simple sound exposes a deeper truth: Peter’s fear has overpowered his loyalty.

The scene is tragic, but honest. And it would be nice if it were just something from 2000 years ago. But it’s happening today. Human beings — in crowds and alone — are capable of both cowardice and complicity. This isn’t just a story from 2,000 years ago. It’s a mirror. Crowds still silence truth, whether they are the ones on the screen or the ones watching them at home. Individuals still abandon convictions in moments that matter. These failures aren’t unfamiliar.

So is there hope? Yes — though it’s not a cheap or easy one. The hope is in what follows, though it hasn’t arrived yet in this passage. It’s the slow hope of resurrection. The kind that only makes sense after a dark night. The kind that requires patience when the sky is still dim and the verdicts still unjust.

The call — then and now — is to remain faithful even when fear is loud and truth is costly. That kind of hope can feel paper-thin in the moment. But it’s real. And it’s worth holding onto.

Mark 14:53–72

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and legal experts gathered. Peter followed him from a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the guards, warming himself by the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they couldn’t find any. Many brought false testimony against him, but they contradicted each other. Some stood to offer false witness against him, saying, “We heard him saying, ‘I will destroy this temple, constructed by humans, and within three days I will build another, one not made by humans.’” But their testimonies didn’t agree even on this point.

Then the high priest stood up in the middle of the gathering and examined Jesus. “Aren’t you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?” But Jesus was silent and didn’t answer. Again, the high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed one?”

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? You’ve heard his insult against God. What do you think?”

They all condemned him. “He deserves to die!”

Some began to spit on him. Some covered his face and hit him, saying, “Prophesy!” Then the guards took him and beat him.

Meanwhile, Peter was below in the courtyard. A woman, one of the high priest’s servants, approached and saw Peter warming himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus.”

But he denied it, saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t understand what you’re saying.” And he went outside into the outer courtyard. A rooster crowed.

The female servant saw him and began a second time to say to those standing around, “This man is one of them.” But he denied it again.

A short time later, those standing around again said to Peter, “You must be one of them, because you are also a Galilean.”

But he cursed and swore, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” At that very moment, a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered what Jesus told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down, sobbing.

Psalm 27:1-5

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything? When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—it’s they, my foes and my enemies, who stumble and fall! If an army camps against me, my heart won’t be afraid. If war comes up against me, I will continue to trust in this:

I have asked one thing from the Lord—it’s all I seek: to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, seeing the Lord’s beauty and constantly adoring his temple. Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling during troubling times; he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent; he will set me up high, safe on a rock.

Prayer

God,

Give us wisdom. Keep us compassionate. Adhere our hearts to Jesus such that our actions reflect his truth.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.