From the traditional, extensive gospel reading this Palm/Passion Sunday, we settled on that portion that tells of Peter's denial of Jesus (14:66-72), his darkest moment as a disciple. Many scholars believe that Mark's description of Peter's utter failure of nerve and spirit on the night of Jesus' arrest may be some of the most trustworthy biographical material we have about this disciple in the gospels.

As evidence, commentators point out that it is unlikely such a weak and unflattering picture of the man who became the leader of the first-century church would be purposefully invented and carefully retained, unless it were part of his actual life story. Furthermore, the detailed and deliberate nature of Peter's denials goes well beyond Mark's usual use of Peter as the representative spokes…