HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
John’s account of this event includes several interesting details that the other writers do not. One of those details is in the wording of the questions asked of Peter. The first two of those queries are phrased negatively—“You also are not one…are you?” Consider two quick observations about this wording. First, the negative wording of these questions suggests an attitude of disrespect toward Jesus. “Why would anyone be His disciple? Surely you are not!” Second, the negative wording of the questions encourages Peter to deny Jesus and makes that denial easier. Peter doesn’t have to defy the accusers, but simply has to acknowledge that he is not a disciple. Peter was certainly responsible for his own actions, but Satan was cunning in the way he used those around him to tempt him. What’s the lesson for us? Satan is still cunning. He still uses people and situations and even the wording of questions to tempt us to deny Christ and forfeit our relationship with Him. If we are to withstand, we must be strong and courageous.
How would you respond if someone questioned your relationship with Christ?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
