John 18:15-16 “Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.”
We have been invited by John into the relationship between Peter and Jesus. I’m impressed with the courage of both Peter and John, but especially Peter. He had been the one disciple to take up arms against all odds. He had severed an ear of a slave of the high priest, Caiaphas, and we see from this verse that instead of fleeing as the rest of the disciples, he followed Jesus. Although Annas was replaced as high priest by Caiaphas in 15 A.D., he still was referred to as the high priest. John lets us know that he was known by Annas and therefore was allowed into the courtyard with Jesus. Apparently, Peter however, wasn’t allowed into the courtyard until John spoke with the gatekeeper.
What is Peter thinking? I don’t know, but I am impressed with Peter’s courage at this point to follow Jesus into the lion’s den. Aren’t you? Giving it the best spin that I can, I think Peter is there because he loves his master. He had told Jesus he would not forsake Him, and if everyone else fled, he would not. He and John are like the president and vice-president of the disciples. They are the committed of the committed. They had been with Jesus in best of times. Why not stay with Him in the worst of times? In his mind, he was ready to die with Jesus.
We all know where this story goes, but at this point we can be encouraged by Peter’s and John’s love and courage. Perhaps they were thinking that Jesus would be given a fair trial and they would have an opportunity to testify on Jesus’ behalf. That makes me examine myself and ask if I am that ready, willing, loving, and courageous to testify on Jesus’ behalf today. Should the opportunity arise, will love for Jesus move me to live to love with Him by sharing about His love for me and for others? Let’s be ready today to follow Jesus anywhere, even into the lion’s den, to express His love and presence.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
