NOTES for Mar 14:29-30
How often something said "in general" is received better than something addressed personally. The prophecy of the coming betrayal stirred a lively response in the disciples and moved them once again to look into themselves. But the impartial warning addressed personally to Peter was rejected by him. In his objections one hears wounded pride: that cannot happen; after all, I am so good.
And immediately Peter dozed off, leaving Christ alone with the God-forsakenness of Gethsemane. Coming up for a moment, the Savior calls him not Peter, but Simon. At that moment Simon son of Jonah is already, and yet still not, a rock.
Those who asked themselves, "Is it I?" ran away, but they had not promised that they would not waver under any circumstances. They showed weakness, but they did not commit betrayal and did not deny Him.
How often it is unbearable for us to hear bitter reproach from those around us; we immediately want to dispute unpleasant accusations. But without accepting the unbearable truth about ourselves, we will hardly be able to get rid of our own refuse.