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Good Friday
John 18:15-18
15 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, 16 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.
17 ‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?’ she asked Peter.
He replied, ‘I am not.’
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood round a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
John then records how Jesus was questioned by Annas, the High Priest, who then decided to send him to Caiaphas.
John 18:25-27
25 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.’
26 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?’ 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a cock began to crow.
“No, no, I do not know Jesus”
How many people, down through the ages have followed Peter saying, “I do not know Jesus”? How many, when faced with persecution, have found it easier to distance themselves from Jesus? How many when faced with the choice of renouncing their faith or dying, have chosen to renounce their faith? How many of us have been in conversations where Jesus has been mocked, or it has been uncomfortable being seen as a Christian, and we have said nothing?
Whatever we might think of the wisdom of Israel Folau’s social media posts, we have to recognise that he has had the courage of his convictions in an age when his views are widely condemned.
Peter, of course, had only hours earlier, at the Last Supper, said, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three time.”
But Peter was very confident. Confident enough to contradict Jesus. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”
I guess he meant it. I guess he genuinely felt that he loved Jesus enough and he was strong enough to stand by Him, no matter what the cost. He would die for Jesus. No doubt he felt brave and faithful.
How little time there was between the bold proclamation and the very quick surrender. When asked by a servant girl if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter said, “No”. How frightening was a servant girl? I guess there might have been others listening but, even so, Peter, who was going to be so strong, capitulated immediately.
Maybe it looked very different now that Jesus had been arrested and was on trial. Maybe Peter felt strong when Jesus was a free man but things had deteriorated rapidly and the threat was more real. But Jesus had said that this was going to happen. Maybe Peter’s bravery related to a world that was never going to exist.
And I know how little time there is sometimes between my thinking that I am strong and I am going to act in a certain way, or I am not going to be defeated by a certain temptation, and my complete failure. How come? I thought I was going to be strong!
And then the cock crows. And just as Peter realised to his utter shame that Jesus had been right and that he had not been as strong as he had asserted, I know that I have let Jesus down yet again.
Peter did not know what was ahead, but I do. On that Cross, Jesus took my sin. He paid the price in full. There is nothing still required. I hate it when the cock crows and I realise how badly I have failed. I don’t like having to come back to Jesus and acknowledge how badly I have failed. But I do know that He who had no sin, took mine and died for me. And I do know that His death covers not just some sins but all sins.
Hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross