15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
He replied, “I am not.”
18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. (John 18:15-18)
Thoughts: There were two who dared to follow Jesus. "Another disciple" is surely a literary device indicating the disciple who wrote these words: John son of Zebedee and brother of James. John was from a wealthy fishing family (Zebedee had servants) who may have provided fish or otherwise supported the high priest's family. His influence and knowledge, even as a young man, allowed him access to the high priest's house.
While the other disciples fled, Peter went with John to the house. But Peter was good at being bold at first and shrinking back later. Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, but the next words of Peter were to discourage Christ from dying on the cross. Jesus answered by saying to Peter, whom he gave the keys, "Get behind me Satan." When Jesus came to them in the storm, Peter was the only one who got out of the boat to come to him, walking on the water. But then Peter sank when he saw the wind and waves. Peter cut off the servant's ear, but now he was shrinking back. The words above have the servant of the priest asking if Peter was a follower TOO. This may have implied that they knew John was a follower of Jesus- which made Peter's denial that much more wrong. Peter was warming himself with soldiers and servants in an unfamiliar place. His nerves were doubtless shattered. Peter who had said he would never deny Christ was giving into his fear.
Peter denied that he was a disciple. He may have been afraid of pain or arrest. He may have thought that if he, the second in command were to go the disciples would be leaderless. But the future of the movement depended on his boldness not on his cowardice. We can rationalize being ashamed or fearful of Christ. We too are called to claim Christ, not deny Him.
While the other disciples fled, Peter went with John to the house. But Peter was good at being bold at first and shrinking back later. Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, but the next words of Peter were to discourage Christ from dying on the cross. Jesus answered by saying to Peter, whom he gave the keys, "Get behind me Satan." When Jesus came to them in the storm, Peter was the only one who got out of the boat to come to him, walking on the water. But then Peter sank when he saw the wind and waves. Peter cut off the servant's ear, but now he was shrinking back. The words above have the servant of the priest asking if Peter was a follower TOO. This may have implied that they knew John was a follower of Jesus- which made Peter's denial that much more wrong. Peter was warming himself with soldiers and servants in an unfamiliar place. His nerves were doubtless shattered. Peter who had said he would never deny Christ was giving into his fear.
Peter denied that he was a disciple. He may have been afraid of pain or arrest. He may have thought that if he, the second in command were to go the disciples would be leaderless. But the future of the movement depended on his boldness not on his cowardice. We can rationalize being ashamed or fearful of Christ. We too are called to claim Christ, not deny Him.
Prayer: Lord, give me grace to be bold and faithful in my following you.
Statue of Peter's denial in Jerusalem at the labeled house of Caiaphas.
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