Busted #2

Peter was busted twice when staying at a distance from Jesus while He was being falsely accused. In this denial, he is recognized as a follower of Jesus, and Peter has to do a little more to distance himself from even being associated with Jesus. John 18: 25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again, Peter denied it. And immediately, a rooster crowed. Peter was remembered for cutting off the ear of Malchus by a relative of the man. Peter gets asked point blank the following: “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

This denial moves into a new realm as Peter is trying to blend in with everyone else as someone who just hangs around religious things, like a trial put on by the high priests. It is just like when you are attending a church, and someone who you don't want to know you are in a church might corner you and say, "Don't you go to such and such church?" Instead of saying yes and inviting them to come to that church with you, a denial of being associated with said church is presented. Now you are in a quandary because you have been found out, and a different, more holy life should be your witness. But is it? You have been living both lives, one in the church and one in the world. You know what happens when you straddle a fence, don't you? You get caught in the middle. OUCH!

Peter had an opportunity to make right his earlier denial, but now he is compounding his problem by denying it again. Why? He was not ready to continue on with Jesus in this compromising position. All of the days traveling and ministering together were not enough to seal the deal for Peter, so He denies even being a part of the movement. What can it hurt, he thinks? Plus, he is not in getting in trouble either. Peter is distancing himself from Jesus, and this is not a distance that feels right because it isn't right. There is still one more vehement denial to come and we will look at that one tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Today's Message,

David Warren