John 18:12-27
The contrasts here are clear and undeniable. Jesus is on trial for his life. Peter wants to watch, but not get involved. Jesus speaks the truth to his accusers. Peter lies. Jesus finds here an occasion to talk about God’s ways and faith. Peter avoids his chance. Jesus gets crucified for us. Peter lives, for a while longer.
A defense of Peter, if you please.
Peter is saving his own skin. I dare say most of us here now would do the same. Fine to oppose the enemy when it costs us little; far different when it costs us much! Jesus died for the world. We want to live in ours. When we want to live for Jesus, our courage rapidly increases.
Peter tries to keep his options open. Being captured like Jesus won’t help anybody! It is always best to have an alternative plan. “Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition,” so to speak. When our Savior ceases to be optional, our lives become optimal.
Peter lives by the word of God. He denies before the rooster crows, in part because Jesus knows that he will. Sometimes things are out of our control, and we have to go along with the moment. Everyone’s life is shaped by God’s Word. When Peter lived out the promises, his life became one of faith, not a life of fate.
All right, it isn’t a good defense. And neither is mine. Or yours. We live in a chicken farm the size of the planet. Will we live by the Word of the Lord, or the crow of the bird?
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