Faithful
John 18:15-27
18:15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17 The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
I realize that you may have started reading this passage and thought, “Oh, yes, Peter’s denial of Jesus - I know this; no need to read the whole passage. Peter denies Jesus three times, and then the cock crows - just as Jesus predicted.” (Jn. 13:37-38) If you did that, however, you might have missed a few things.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus and those who arrested him. The other disciple knew the high priest and went with Jesus inside the courtyard of the high priest; Simon Peter waited outside the gate.
The other disciple came back out to the gate, spoke to the woman guarding the gate to let Peter in. The woman asked Peter if he was one of Jesus’ disciples - Peter said, “I am not.” It’s the first denial. In the garden, Jesus had said, “I am (he).” Peter said, “I am not.”
Peter warmed himself by the charcoal fire that the slaves and the police had made in order to warm themselves because it was cold.
The scene shifts (vs. 19-24) to the high priest as he questions Jesus. Jesus speaks truthfully and openly, saying he has always been open about his teachings. He also tells the high priest to ask those who heard his teachings. Jesus wants others to testify about what they have seen and heard.
The scene shifts back to the courtyard. Once again Peter is asked about being one of Jesus’ disciples; “I am not,” is Peter’s answer. Finally, one of the slaves - a relative of the slave whose ear Peter had cut off - asserts that he saw Peter in the garden when Jesus was arrested, and again, Peter denied it. Three times - and then the cock crowed.
So, yes, this passage is the familiar story of Peter’s denial, but more than that, it is about Jesus and his faithfulness. Peter stands in contrast to Jesus; where Peter lies, Jesus speaks the truth. Where Peter is afraid, Jesus boldly answers the questions. Jesus knows what awaits him; and he does not vere from the plan. Jesus remains faithful. He knows the time will come for witnesses to tell the truth, to tell his truth, to tell what he has done, and how his faithfulness and the faithfulness of God endure forever. Like Peter, we are redeemed by Christ’s saving love, and we stand among those who have gone before us to bear witness to God’s saving work through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Let us pray: Great is your faithfulness, O God, and that faithfulness is revealed through your son Jesus Christ. Raise us up as faithful servants to share the gospel with our words and our actions, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen