IT WAS COLD!

IT WAS COLD!

John 18:15-18

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

John 18:25-27

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

          John writes matter of factually about Peter’s denial. His only explanation for Peter’s warming himself was that it was cold. Many, I included, have preached about how wrong it was for Peter to be present at this trial but the fact is that John was there as well. John often referred to himself in the third person and we think that is what he is doing in verse fifteen. If that is so then John not only followed to the fire but went inside to hear and later record the questions. We never condemn him for being there.

          It was cold! Peter warmed himself by the charcoal along with others. It had been a strange night and many hands were turned toward the fire’s glow. Questions and confusion swirled around in his head; fear had sent all his body heat to the core leaving his extremities bloodless and cold. He tried to act nonchalant but he was shivering. The soft glow of the coals illuminated Peter’s face and someone recalled seeing that same face in the glow of the torches in the garden.

          John does not give us the details of Peter’s denial. We have to rely on the other apostles to hear the adamant denial that he was in the garden. “No! Absolutely not! I was not there!” Peter had become a liar. “I do not know the man!” Peter had become unfaithful. Next he utters a vulgar curse to further prove he was not aligned with one as pure as Jesus. Peter’s slide was quick!

          The rooster crowed his sermon and if you listen carefully you can make it out. “Yes, you were there! Yes, you were there!” Peter went out and wept bitterly.

          The world is a cold place for those of us who follow Jesus today. There is a great temptation to warm ourselves at the fire of unbelievers. A little compromise of our convictions, a curse here or there, might make it a bit more comfortable for us on life’s journey. We all might enjoy the campfire of inconsistency and drink from the mug of unfriendly camaraderie if there weren’t so many roosters crowing at us.

Dear Father, use whatever means necessary to keep me faithful and close to you! AMEN