City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

15 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, 16 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. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door 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 officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

Exegesis

Peter’s three-peat in denying Jesus is one of the most famous facts of the New Testament. There is much that can be said about it and much that has. To encourage those who have been fearful admitting their Christianity to others, Peter’s denials have been offered as evidence of Peter’s lack of courage or faith. To encourage those who have backslidden to repent, others have noted Peter and Judas both denied Jesus but that only Peter repented. While both takes on Peter’s denials are legitimate, I think the truth is more nuanced and actually more instructive for us.

Comparing Peter to Judas misses some vital distinctions. Judas went to Jesus’ enemies and betrayed Him in exchange for money. Peter never actively sought to betray Jesus, and Peter continued to follow Jesus from a distance. And, Peter did repent—“turn” as Jesus described it (Luke 22:32)—and presumably Judas could have as well. 

Nor can it be said that Peter lacked courage. When faced with an armed Roman Cohort—the most feared and highly trained combat soldier in the world at that time—Peter, with a single sword lashed out to initiate battle with them in defense of Jesus.  Peter told Jesus he was willing to risk death and prison for Him, and Peter proved it. Peter was no coward, and I don’t believe his subsequent denials of Jesus were an act of cowardice. Instead, I think Peter’s denials of Jesus were born out of something more likely than fear to cause Christians then and now to backslide, and that is disappointment.

Peter and the rest of the disciples wrongly believed Jesus was going to take over then and forcibly establish His kingdom. When it did not happen, and Jesus rebuked Peter for using the sword, Peter and the other disciples fled. Jesus had failed to act according to Peter’s expectations, and I believe Peter was disappointed in Jesus. Peter continued to follow Jesus from a distance, but having been disappointed, when he was asked if he was Jesus’ disciple he denied it.

We do the same thing. We are prone to deal with Jesus transactionally. We want something from Jesus, whether it be a relationship, a job, or even healing, and when we don’t get it we get disappointed. We might continue to follow Jesus, but like Peter, we do so from a safe distance not fully trusting Him, and more interested in self-preservation.

However, Jesus said a disciple is not above his teacher (Matthew 10:24-25), that we must be willing to give up everything to follow Him (Luke 14:33), and be willing to follow Him to the cross (Matthew 16:24). Following from a distance is not really following. We are to be all in or all out.

Application

Have you been disappointed because God didn’t act according to your plans? 

Have you been following from Jesus from a distance?