Luke Ch 22 v54-v65
Jesus was taken into the high priests house.
Peter followed at a distance.
Having been a disciple for three and a half years, Peter knew that there had been much contention from the religious rulers towards Jesus. He was also aware of his own affiliation with him, being a prominent one among the twelve, and the people.
He knew then, that their was great risk in following unto the high priests house.
In the garden he had been willing to fight, despite Jesus speaking unto the band of soldiers to let his disciples go free.
But that was in the heat of the moment and before the Lord had been bound. Peters striking of the high priest’s servants right ear had been in the interval of a possible escape, with the Lord.
Now he followed at a distance, knowing that danger was lurching nearer with every step towards the high priests house.
What made Peter follow at a distance and even enter the high priests house, whose servants ear he had just sliced off. Was it to see if Jesus would perform a miracle so great that his captors would follow him too. Or was it to see if Jesus would establish his kingdom upon earth.
Having spent three and a half years with Jesus, both of these would have been legitimate to expect and both of these factored into a distinction concerning his person. But without doubt the over arching reason was his personal friendship with the Lord, it was the love from him that made it a unique relationship, as with all those who had left all to follow him.
Peter follows at a distance due to the affinity and affection he has for the Lord.
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Peters denial of being a disciple of Jesus and of knowing him is recorded in all four gospels. God has chosen to encourage all believers through ensuring that each angle of the gospel touches upon this central theme 2 Timothy 2 v13.
The account in Johns gospel would imply that once Peter was within the grounds of the high priests residence, he was not in the room where Jesus was being asked about his disciples and his teaching.
This is a profound statement, Jesus was being asked about the very heart of why he had come and what he was about! He was a teacher and he had come to disciple men and women. And arguably his best disciple was outside warming himself by the fire: ‘Depart from me for I am a sinful man’, ‘Nevertheless at thy word’, ‘Biddest thou me come’, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ & ‘I will lay down my life for you’
(John Ch 13 v33-35)
Peter followed at a distance. Jesus is so far ahead, the religious leaders knew that he was the Shepherd of the sheep and if he was struck they would disperse. But they had not counted on the resurrection.
Jesus was not being held for any crime or moral misdemeanor. He was on trial for being a teacher and having disciples. And what he taught was only understood by a few: Simeon & Anna. Jesus was a teacher of that already revealed in the word of God, and a full completion of it.
They knew that he was the difference. They knew that his disciples would multiply and their own influence diminish if he where allowed to continue discipling. But they knew men, and they knew the old covenant (inability to change) and they understood that he was a new/different covenant (John Ch 8), but they did not perceive that he was the fulfillment of the finished work of God. That through him men would be warmed by a different kind of fire/power, that despite the danger would touch and transform the lives around them.
So while they knew he was the Shepherd of the sheep, they did not know that his blood would seal the covenant of the new for his disciples incorporation and empowerment.
When Peter followed at a distance, it was a fresh experience for him in his school of discipleship. That Jesus had wanted him to survive capture is very clear with what he said to those who came for him. Jesus at this juncture did not require that any man lay down his life for him or with him, as one reason he was going to the cross was to join all those legally condemned to such a death and thereby making a doorway of escape from total darkness into eternal life.
Was Peters error to have used his sword, did this make him more recognizable to the servants of the high priest, was it this specific act prior that made men consider him, in the light of the fires carried by those into the garden of Gethsemane
Had this carnal reaction been the point of exposure to that streak of masculinity that claimed: ‘I will lay down my life for you’. It would seem that Peter would have laid down his life for a cause his leader sanctioned. He had not understood the central tenant of his teachers message, that laying his life down for him, equated to loving his enemies.
Peter had not understood what following Jesus entailed, he would later understand that God loved all those so far off they did not even have sight of one to follow from a distance.
Peter had been an active student in his teachers school of ministry. He had beheld in wonder on many occasions as he witnessed his teachers Lordship over the natural world; the multitude of fish, the calming of a storm, the healing of a maniac and baskets full of bread.
But he had not reckoned on this lesson being the pinnacle of learning, of the graduation class.
From the moment Jesus called men to follow him, they had been enrolled into his discipleship school, his school of ministry. It had been progressive, with demonstration and participation.
The disciples had not reckoned on this being the final lesson and most critical lesson.
If Peter was willing to die by the sword for the course why did he deny that he even knew him?
Peter had never before seen Jesus, taken captive by men. He had always witnessed Jesus pass through the midst of those he knew hated him. Peter had admired the boldness and integrity of his leader, who did not compromise his message for his audience. Peter knew that Jesus as an authentic man, whose message was pure at heart. That is what had held them and made them leave all.
But here Peter is caught directly between two powers; the weight, mass and power of the world. The principles and structures by which men ruled upon the earth & faith.
Peter had spent three and a half years witnessing the majesty and glory of the way of faith.
Yet, now that his leader is captive to the power of the way the world works, his faith in himself and his commitment to the course is shattered.
Why did God sovereignly show his power over the elements and of nature, choose to empower Peter with boldness to be the first one to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit that God has fulfilled his own covenant promises: This is that.
“I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not’ – and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
‘Brothers, what shall we do’?
When Peter denied that he knew Jesus and that he was his disciple, three and half years of his life where being sifted as wheat, wiped out by the Spirit of the age. But once you have encountered Jesus it can not be consigned to a lesser power. Save yourselves from this evil generation, ‘Repent, turn, and be baptized in the name ofJesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Got the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off’.
As Jesus was being mocked and stricken, Peter could not see the victory of faith, all he saw was the dominance of the World.
Peter witnessed Jesus in weakness.
Peter could not see how a man humbled in weakness could ever be the power that would evoke change upon the earth. Yet, he was witnessing the crux of his discipleship training, it was this manifestation of weakness being found in fashion as a man, that was the very heart of victory.
It was the very contrast with the power of this world, and how men ruled with terror and oppressive fear.
The Cross! The Cross, the mystery of the Cross, the Son of God, the King of heaven, slain that men might have there sins forgiven.
A reign of freedom is his kingdom.
Jesus turned and beheld Peter after the rooster crowed. Did Peter catch his line of sight, we must assume he did, and he went out and wept bitterly.
His own profession of faith was shattered, but Jesus turned to look at him. Jesus had foretold exactly what transpired, and had said to him, ‘when you turn, strengthen your brethren’.
When Jesus looked at Peter, it did not carry any of the mass of this worlds way, carrot and stick were absent. In his humanity did Jesus feel its depth, I think so, but it did not alter his love for Peter. Peter like Paul afterwards, understood that the cross was not for a cause greater than I: Galatians Ch 2 v20.
Jesus was blindfolded and struck by men, asking him who had struck him. Paul, was asked a question upon the Damascus road, ‘Why do you persecute me’? And once his eyes were opened he straight way declared what is pertinently true: Jesus is the Son of God.
For God so loved the world, that whosever believes in the gift God gave to this world in his Son, might not perish but have everlasting life.
His victorious love for the whole world made manifest through weakness, captive to the hands of men, but returning into his Fathers hands.
The shepherd of the sheep sealing the covenant. The sacrifice that God answers by Fire, a fire that sets men apart from the tide and current of this world.
When Jesus turned and looked at Peter, it was not a static gaze, it carried with it his prayer of faith – Peter was going to be founded upon the rock of salvation, the truth of another mans strength carried him through weakness. Peters faith would not fail, because faith in the crucified one is a ransom for the whole world.
The gospel is nothing less than redeeming sacrificial love. It is by faith that men are saved, and through the preaching of the cross that men hear the living word of God.
Jesus turned and looked at Peter. And again Peter turns to look at another disciple. But Jesus as all good teachers do, stuck to his mandate of graduation: Follow me.
The turning of Jesus to concentrate on you personally carries with it the message of the cross. ‘Brothers, what shall we do’?
‘Strengthen you brethren’, Turn and be baptized in Him, and you will receive the promise of the Father, a word that has overcome the world and the prince of it, a word which entered upon receives an embrace that heralds: I am well pleased with you.
What a word is this. It is personal yet corporate and universal. It is a word that does not puff up, as the word itself is inseparable from service unto others. A part of the body of Christ, playing your part, where the weaker members are more vital to the whole, due to the greater mass of Christ they must bring to the table. Simply to his cross they cling.
Denial of him publicly, amongst his kinsmen, the weight of this worlds ridicule.
Jesus turned and looked at him, penetrating every selfish ambition and every misplaced hope he had of himself as one called and blessed by the Father in heaven.
Chosen to spread the fire in other men’s hearts, warming them for service of other men. Cornelius was chosen for this reason.
The glory of the cross is that men may love one another in sincerity, hands given for service and not cruelty.
The Lord revealed to Peter before his point of denial the very redemption of his fall: Strengthen others. How oft Peter must have reflected upon his look that night, in it he saw the rock of his salvation upon which the gates and accusations of hell could not prevail.
The crossroads of the Cross, an individual but a crowd and corporate. Heavens victory, light shining from the darkness of a fallen broken world.
It turned the world upside down.
Notes:
These notes are from a scripture reading at work last week, which I failed to get typed up on Saturday night. I had opportunity too, but regretfully came up short.
But I have been encouraged by completing them despite knowing their is much more to consider. Also found Spurgeon’s sermon on the subject to be a real encouragement as he states his weighty opinion about the nature of the ‘Look’ drawing out the love more clearly. And as Gods Word brings light where their has been darkness I was specifically encouraged.
Last Sunday afternoon during the worship the Lord did place some events from the past upon my mind. Perhaps, those thoughts contributed to making it a battle to type notes up. Not because of negative memories from past, but rather knowing that they were related to the word given. One was from a visit to NYC, and the other of a man who prayed for me at a big evangelical Anglican Church in London.
Their is a willingness in me to follow the Lord if he asks me to move. But I am very content to continue exactly where I am, having a very good quality of life & much ground still to be redeemed.
Last week I also read the first two chapters of Daniel, and saw afresh how Daniel and co were the prepared vessel of God in Babylon. Despite captivity God revealed the Spiritual man! Daniel was one man, and through him the very head of Babylon acknowledged his pride and sought Gods mercy. I thought the morning service was a pure clean spiritual note that communicated such a God as Daniel had.
eternalrays 