John Chapter 18 verses 15 – 18 (NIV)
Simon 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, but 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.“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
It 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 Chapter 18 verses 25 – 27 (NIV)
Meanwhile, 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.” One 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?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a cock began to crow.
There were two things that spoke to me from this familiar chapter in John’s Gospel. Peter and John did at least set out to follow Jesus after His arrest. John, it seems, was known to the High Priest, close enough that he was able to go with Jesus into the High Priest’s courtyard whist Peter had to wait outside until John could get clearance for him. We don’t read that John stayed with Peter, so can we assume that John was able to go to the trial? He must have had some clout. And he wasn’t restrained because he was at the foot of the cross with the women. He was able to remain as close to Jesus as he could.
Peter was left by himself on the fringe. He felt threatened by those who were there and he felt threatened. His denial came just as Jesus had prophesied. Perhaps if he had been able to stay with John, he would have been able to stand firm.
Its not enough to stay on the fringes. If we decide to follow Jesus, we need to go right in with Him to where He is. Those of us whom the Jews would consider as gentiles would only have been allowed into the courtyard of the Gentiles, we wouldn’t even have got in past the gate. No one would have been able to make representation for us. Except Jesus; and He did. And because He paid the price for us, even we who would have had no rights, can go into not just into the inner courts, but to the very Holy of Holies. What a privilege we have!
Dear Lord,
Thank You that the safest place to be is to be close to Jesus. Help me not to stay on the outside. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.