The First Denial
John 18:12-18
12 So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
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 round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
Jesus having been arrested the trial begins. A trial before a judge who has already been impacted to think in a particular way – that Jesus’ death would be a good thing for the nation (“to have one person die for the people”). Ironically, in the mouths of Jesus’ opponents, is allusion to the theological truth that is at work in this moment. For Jesus singular death will be a death he dies for all people.
Another disciple, besides Peter, is referenced in vs. 15. Many Bible scholars believe that this is John the disciple. Additionally, when said this way, the reader is invited in to imagine themselves as being on the inside of what is going on just as we saw in John 13:23,24. In any case, this unnamed disciple is known in the household of the high priest and the disciple is able to get into the courtyard around the high priest’s house easily, and is also able to get Peter into the courtyard.
Notice the contrast – Peter the Galilean fisherman, rough on the edges, with a northern Israel accent – and the other disciple with links to the powerful in Jerusalem who can talk their way into places of power. Both were disciples of Jesus, Jesus’ call reaches across the economic and cultural divisions we create.
On the way into the courtyard, Peter is confronted by the woman at the gate, “You are one of that man’s (Jesus’) disciples.” Notice she accuses Peter, and not the “another disciple”. Peter the Galilean can not hide his accent, and Jesus was known to be from the north country. But Peter says “no” he is not a disciple of Jesus. The first denial happened so easily, denying Jesus meant peter got to get inside the courtyard and get warm at the fire.
PRAYER:
Lord God, we so easily deny our commitment to you and your Son Jesus, for reasons that have to do with our comfort and ease in life. Shape us that our courage to be known as followers of Jesus might grow and our loyalty to him might be deepened. In Jesus’ name. Amen.