4/9/14- Peter's second and third denial

25Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

26One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. (John 18:25-27)

Thoughts: Peter denied knowing and following Christ:  Many do.  Doubtless he rationalized his decision.  Maybe Peter thought no one will know of his betrayal but himself.  Yet God knew this would happen.  Perhaps Peter thought if he denied him, he would live another day to do ministry.  But what kind of life is lived with an empty soul?  Perhaps Peter understood he was the next-in-line leader of the disciples.  But what kind of leader denies following the path and person of Christ?  When the cock crowed, Matthew records (26:75) that Peter remembered the prophesy of Jesus and wept bitterly. 

Prayer: Lord, let me be true.  Help me to value faithfulness to you above comfort and my own skin.  

4-7-14 Questioning of Jesus

19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
(John 18:19-24)

Thoughts:  The high priest was asking Jesus not only about his teaching, but about his disciples.  He may have wanted to know who and how many.  He was trying to snuff out this group.  Jesus, in response, did not want to answer at all.  He knew they were not really interested in His teaching, They were only interested in attacking Him.  Jesus wanted His actions and His effect on His disciples to speak for themselves.
    Paul was once struck for defending himself to the high priest.  Jesus is also struck.  Jesus did not attack the high priest.  When they struck Jesus, they struck the Great High Priest.  God does not need to defend Himself.  In the end God wins without striking back.  The cross was not overcome on the battlefield, but with the resurrection. 

There are many who, like the High Priest, question the teaching of Jesus and the effect He has had on His followers.  For those who really don't want answers- but just want to interrogate in order to make themselves feel better in their sin- there is no good answer.  We must leave God to give them the answer that they deserve.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to know when to speak and when not to speak.  Help me to trust my defense, my reputation, and myself into your care.  

4-7-14 Peter's first denial

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. 

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.