“54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance.“
At the Mount of Olives, Jesus is seized by the servants of the High Priest along with Judas. They took him away to the house of the High Priest and Peter followed, at a distance. Now, following this is the famous passage where Peter disowns Jesus three times and where we often look at this as a lack of faith on the part of Peter.
WAITING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY
However, if we look at this situation deeper we may find this not to be the case. Peter followed Jesus but where were the other disciples? Their love for Jesus did not prod them to follow at a distance like Peter, causing them to disband when their leader was gone. Peter did not run to defend Jesus knowing there was little he could do but he followed “at a distance,” waiting for an opportunity to assist Jesus.
At the end of this walk, Peter arrives in a courtyard (the very place he denies Jesus 3 times by morning) where he waits for Jesus who is in the house of the High Priest. Here he finds himself with a large crowd that has also gathered. A crowd that has also followed like Peter, not out of a love for Jesus, but out of curiosity. It is the dynamics of this crowd that made it challenging for Peter to keep the faith. Later in 23:29–23, we see elements of this very same crowd shouting to crucify Jesus with such force that Pilate gives in. However, earlier in Luke we see that the Pharisees were careful to bring charges against Jesus because he had a strong following.
THE CROWD TURNS
Now, the people liked Jesus for what he provided — food and miracles, and the new theology of John the Baptist and Jesus was spreading that the unclean could now be clean through baptism and faith. However, here in the courts we see a paradigm shift. Within 24 hours of his arrest the people who had followed Jesus that the Pharisees and teachers feared upsetting, had viciously turned against Jesus. From loving his words on the shores of Galilee and freely partaking of his blessings to abdicating his murder.
Where did this rapid turn occur? When did the people who were so fond of Jesus decide they hated him so much? I will tell you where, these discussion started right here in the middle of the courtyard where a fire had kindled and Peter found himself. The people suddenly saw Jesus as a criminal and now Satan could whisper thoughts of hatred in their ears. Perhaps they discussed among themselves how Jesus brought havoc in the temple with the money changers, or broke rules on the Sabbath, and most important, was leading a rebellion to over throw the government. None of this was true but these are thoughts that could have ignited the anger of those in the courtyard. So strong was this new movement that the crowd stayed through the night fueling their vengeance until the rooster crowed.
PETER RECOGNIZED
In this heated debate, with a crowed that was becoming more anti-Jesus as the night progressed, is a servant girl who peers through the fire light to get a better glimpse of Peter. Once she recognizes him, she calls him out. Peter, fearing the growing angry crowd, quickly denies it. Peter must of tried to hide himself, but as the light came out, it became more obvious who he was and virtually impossible to hide. Now, it would seem Peter would have left the courtyard before the dawn of the early light, fearing the people. But, his faithfulness for Christ persisted. He wanted to know what would be the outcome of his friend and desperately wanted to stand by his side once again.
Caught by surprise of the recognition by the servant girl, Peter was scared for his life and worried the crowd would stone him, which accounts for his rapid dismissal. This servant girl recognizing Peter means that she was with the crowds that were with Jesus. In fact, it is very likely that many of the others were as well or she would have not called him out. This is evidence that this crowd was full of the same people that followed Jesus and the same crowd that started a wild fire of hatred that culminated in 23:23. Yes Peter did fail, but he did not leave the crowd and go home. He stayed to confront his own fears. Faith feeds and grows off of our own failure.
When Jesus finally appeared the next morning with the guards, this crowd said nothing to defend him when the guards beat and mocked him, obviously giving their approval of the events. Additional evidence this crowd knew of Jesus and now hated him. It is also evidence that the tone through the night was a case against Jesus from a crowd that followed and now had turned.
THE STRENGTH OF PETER’S FAITH
Peter did not stand up to defend Jesus as well. Although his faith was strong enough to keep him there, it was not strong enough to stand up against he crowd. His fear over rode his faith. Yet, his faith was strongest at this point. All others had abandon Jesus. In fact, Jesus said Peter was a rock and upon this rock the church will be built. Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that they will receive power when the Holy comes on you. In Acts, we see People touch the cloak of Peter and are healed. Great power went with Peter after Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit came and I believe his faith was cemented right here in this courtyard.
When Peter left the courtyard after the 3rd denial and the crow of the rooster, he wept bitterly and his heart was broken. I believe he did some deep soul searching right here at this moment. Had he not followed at a distance he would not of had this life changing experience. Jesus did not say you will disown me three times before the rooster crows to point out Peter as a failure, but to show that there was still growth needed and that his faith was greatest among them. Jesus did not tell the others because he know their faith was too weak to even follow at a distance.
APPLICATION FOR YOU AND ME
Here is the application for you and me: Even if you feel like your faith is not what it should be, you have not failed in your walk. Get back up and follow Jesus, even if it is at a distance. You may feel like you are following from a distance due to guilt or condemnation. But know the conviction of the Holy Spirit will teach you and make you stronger than before. We can tackle our fears and stand in the courtyard of this world. If the world identifies you as a follower you might be tempted to deny Jesus. But even if you do, hold fast! God will build you up, but only if you are willing to have a contrite heart and willing to be broken as Peter was.
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