“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.
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’”
John 18:15-18; 25-27.
Here we have what can only be seen as a remarkably uncomplimentary tribute to Peter. But we need to “go easy” on Peter less we forget that we are all just like Peter. We all have our own histories of denying Jesus.
I have become quite fond of an imaginary, metaphorical box I call my “God Box.” I tuck God away, I hide Him, in my “God Box” at various times in my life, and then head out into the darkness without Him to deny Him and fill myself with Sin because my pea-sized brain has convinced me that I have been good enough to have earned a respite from God, a vacation.
I have done some of the most horrible things in my life with God safely enclosed in my “God Box.” When we are young many of us put God in our “God Box” and then head south for Spring Break. And when we return we open up our “God Box” and beg God for His mercy and for His help because we are to our chin in alligators! On this night, the night before Jesus died on the cross, Peter had tucked Jesus away for the evening in his “God Box” until the cock crowed, prying open the cover of Peter’s “God Box” and letting Jesus back into his life. Yes, dear friends, we are ALL like Peter!
This story includes the only reference in any of the Gospels to “the other disciple” who was known to the high priest and who was able to gain permission for Peter to enter the residence of the high priest. The “other disciple” was also the “beloved disciple” — John.
So dear friends, take time today in prayer to think deeply about when you are inclined to put God in your “God Box.” Take Him out and never put Him in there again. Pray and meditate deeply on the Scriptures. Today consider Peter, but this time replace Peter with yourself.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Let me never be put to shame by putting You aside while I head off in my own direction. I love You too much to do that. And this I pray in your name, amen.
From the Bible:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin”
James 4:17.
“And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” Luke 22:40.
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