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Jesus Is Questioned
(Matthew 26.57-68; Luke 22.54,55,63-71; John 18.13,14,19-24)
53Jesus was led off to the high priest. Then the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses all met together. 54Peter had followed at a distance, and when he reached the courtyard of the high priest's house, he sat down with the guards to warm himself beside a fire.
55The chief priests and the whole council tried to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime, so they could put him to death. But they could not find anyone to accuse him. 56Many people did tell lies against Jesus, but they did not agree on what they said. 57Finally, some men stood up and lied about him. They said, 58 “We heard him say he would tear down this temple that we built. He also claimed that in three days he would build another one without any help.” 59But even then they did not agree on what they said.
60The high priest stood up in the council and asked Jesus, “Why don't you say something in your own defense? Don't you hear the charges they are making against you?” 61But Jesus kept quiet and did not say a word. The high priest asked him another question, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the glorious God?”
62 “Yes, I am!” Jesus answered.
“Soon you will see
the Son of Man
sitting at the right side
of God All-Powerful,
and coming with the clouds
of heaven.”
63At once the high priest ripped his robe apart and shouted, “Why do we need more witnesses? 64 You heard him claim to be God! What is your decision?” They all agreed he should be put to death.
65Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him, hit him with their fists, and said, “Tell us who hit you!” Then the guards took charge of Jesus and beat him.
Peter Says
(Matthew 26.69-75; Luke 22.56-62; John 18.15-18,25-27)
66While Peter was still in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest came up 67and saw Peter warming himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, “You were with Jesus from Nazareth!”
68Peter replied, “That isn't true! I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any idea what you mean.” He went out to the gate, and a rooster crowed.
69The servant girl saw Peter again and said to the people standing there, “This man is one of them!”
70“No, I'm not!” Peter replied.
A little while later some of the people said to Peter, “You certainly are one of them. You're a Galilean!”
71This time Peter began to curse and swear, “I don't even know the man you're talking about!”
72At once the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me.” So Peter started crying.
Reflect
At the cusp of spring, our family descended on the deck, the air still cooled by large patches of snow from winter past. When the blaze in our fire bowl beckoned, we sat round, young and older, chatting and reminiscing. Grateful for the warmth.
Maybe it was more than the obvious draw of heat to thaw a chilled body; but perhaps, like my family, it was only that which Peter grasped at first. A mere temporary comfort. But indulged long, it set the scene for Jesus’ most blustery disciple’s greatest mistake. And so, the desire for a little warmth led to a desire for a little safety – and a great fear of being found guilty by association.
“Nope. Don’t understand – never heard of ‘im.”
Cock-a-doodle. Brush off a spark.
“Huh? Oh…that rebel Teacher! Don’t know him. No, damn it, he’s no friend of mine.”
Doodle do.
Jesus had warned him. “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Peter had denied that too. How little we know ourselves.
For what would you deny Christ? Today. Right where you sit. Or, for what have you already denied our Lord? A little warmth? A raise? A lover? A better position? White-knuckled fear? What ear do you leave open to the Tempter?
Our denials may be less overt than Peter’s. They are denials nonetheless.
Let Peter’s story remind you how yours could end: Peter, heartbroken by his own betrayal, found restoration and forgiveness from the Saviour he denied. His passion unfurled, he lived long, serving the Christ he denied. Died for him too – a martyr, willingly found guilty by association. Still chilled, perhaps, by the winter past memory of his long-ago denial, but heated through with a fiery love for Christ.
Respond
Beloved Friend Jesus, forgive my many “fireside denials.” Turn me inside out and upside down with love for you, then set me ablaze to warm a cold and needy world.
But first, strengthen my rubber backbone.
Kathleen Gibson
Kathleen began following Jesus at six. The Word and words have captivated her ever since. Her career has included time as a freelancer, columnist, broadcaster, conference speaker, workshop leader and magazine editor. She has authored two books and currently works full-time as constituency and communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Kathleen and her husband, Rick, spent thirty years pastoring churches across Western Canada. They have two children and six grandchildren. Publications: Practice by Practice, the art of everyday faith, 2010, Word Alive, Winnipeg; West Nile Diary, one couple’s triumph over a deadly disease, 2009, BPS Books, Toronto; Sunny Side Up, Faith and Life newspaper column, published weekly since 2001. (Also posted weekly at www.kathleengibson.ca/sunnysideup); 90 second inspirational radio spot, Simple Words, airs on a syndicated program in over twenty countries